Introducing: Matt Mitchell

British sailor Matt Mitchell is set to complete a circumnavigation as one of the twelve elite skippers selected to guide an ocean racing team for the Clipper 13-14 Round the World Yacht Race.

At 26, Matt is the youngest of the twelve sailing professionals picked from hundreds of applicants to take charge of a crew of amateur sailors and mould them into an ocean racing team.

“The Clipper Race is one of the most well known, established sailing organisations on the planet and I feel proud to have been given a chance to represent them in this role,” reveals West Berkshire-based Matt.

“I’m looking forward to the Southern Ocean the most, I have seen all sorts of weather, and the Southern Ocean is the place to find the worst of it. I’m also looking forward to crossing the Pacific Ocean, as it is the biggest ocean on the planet.

A sailing professional since leaving school, Matt has built up an extensive racing pedigree after taking part in races including as The Rolex Fastnet Race, The St Maarten Heineken Cup Regatta and the J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race.

“I have always wanted to race around the world, and the Clipper Race is a brilliant opportunity to do my first race of many around the world,” continues Matt, who hopes to be the first Brit to win the Clipper Race since Duggie Gillespie in the 2007 edition of the race.

Photography: © red-photographic