Old Pulteney competition winner to take on global maritime adventure

Old Pulteney Single Malt Scotch Whisky and the Clipper Race will provide a Northern Ireland physcologist with the opportunity to set sail this summer after crowning him the winner of a new nationwide competition – the Old Pulteney Ultimate Sailing Experience.

The competition offered one lucky thrill seeker the chance to take to the high seas and compete in this year's edition of the race.

Tom Teggart, a 49 year old clinical pyschologist from Scarva, Northern Ireland, was awarded the coveted prize and will compete on Old Pulteney this June. He will join a 20-strong crew for the final leg, as they sail to the finish line from New York to London, via Derry–Londonderry and Den Helder in the Netherlands.

The competition was launched in November 2013 through promotional bottles of Old Pulteney 12 Year Old and attracted over 1,300 entries. Tom was one of five finalists who were selected on the strength of their applications and invited to attend a group interview day in Scotland to determine the winner. 

During the interviews, Tom’s strong communication, leadership and problem solving skills were praised by a judging panel comprising of Clipper Race and Old Pulteney representatives. His calm and cheerful personality was also deemed an asset that could boost the crew throughout the gruelling race. 

Tom will now receive three weeks of intensive pre-race training before embarking on the six week voyage.

Tom  commented: "I'm thrilled to be joining the Old Pulteney team for the homecoming leg of the Clipper Race. Winning this competition is like a local league footballer being picked to play in the World Cup finals. It's the opportunity of a lifetime. It'll be tough but I'm going to enjoy and treasure every second of it, and I can't wait to meet the rest of the Old Pulteney team in New York in a couple of months time." 

Margaret Mary Clarke, Old Pulteney’s Senior Brand Manager said: "We are delighted to crown Tom our competition winner and offer him a once in a lifetime opportunity to join such a prestigious global event. Sailing in the race is the ultimate team sport and the Old Pulteney crew in particular are known for their sense of camaraderie, Tom’s skill set and personality really stood out and we are confident he will soon become an invaluable crew member.”

 Old Pulteney is one of 12 racing yachts competing in the Clipper Race fleet. Sharing a name with its sponsor, the yacht is part of a race sharing in the rich maritime history that Old Pulteney Single Malt Scotch Whisky drinkers can taste in the distinct ‘maritime malt’.

The single malt brand’s partnership with the Clipper Race is rooted in the whisky's strong maritime heritage and long standing involvement with sailing. Pulteney Distillery is one of the most northerly on the UK mainland - and whisky connoisseurs say they can detect a faint hint of the sea in the delicious malt thanks to its windswept location and close proximity to the North Sea.