Meet the Clipper 2017-18 Race Crew: Tony Maggs

Name: Frederick “Tony” Maggs

Age: 69

Nationality: British

Home Town: Born in Bristol; lives in Adeje, Tenerife

Occupation: Retired Carpenter

Legs: 4

Team: Sanya Serenity Coast

One of the many Clipper Race crew members who is raring to go for the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race (RSHYR) is Frederick “Tony” Maggs. After taking part in Legs 1, 5 and 8 of the Clipper 2015-16 Race he felt he had to return to compete in Leg 4: the All-Australian Leg so that he could sail in the iconic blue water classic.

He will be sailing with Wendy “Wendo” Tuck, who was also his Skipper in the Clipper 2015-16 Race, and explains: “I had already been thinking about doing the All-Australian Leg but had been umming and ahhing about it, so when I knew Wendo was back, that was it for me – it ticked the box!”

“I missed out on the Leg when Wendo won the Clipper Race division of the Sydney-Hobart last time around. I wanted to come back and take part in this famous race with her and hopefully win again!"

IMAGE: Tony (second from right) with Wendo on the helm.

He has already tasted success with his first Clipper Race victory, during Race 4: The ClipperTelemed+ Tasman Test, after missing out on a win during the Clipper 2015-16 Race. Describing the experience, he said: “It was absolutely fantastic to sail into Sydney in first place with Visit Seattle right on our backside, pushing us all the way, and the team’s Skipper, Nikki Henderson, really deserves a lot of credit because it was nip and tuck right to the end making for an exciting finish.”

Originally from Bristol, Tony is used to competition on the water having been National Windsurf Champion at the age of 36 and continues to stay active after retiring as a carpenter. After the Clipper 2015-16 Race, he worked on getting his RYA Yachtmaster qualification in the Canary Islands where he now lives with wife, Linda. He says that getting her approval to come back and take part in the Clipper Race was vital: “My wife Linda has been a fantastic supporter and backs me all the way – it’s been lovely to see her turn up at each of the stopovers…and not get lost!"

IMAGE: Tony Maggs and his wife, Linda, at the Race 4 Prize Giving Ceremony.

He added: “The Clipper Race has been a big part of my life for three-and-a-half years now and maybe after I’ve finished the Leg in the Whitsundays, I’ll get on with my life… First thing will be making sure that Linda gets an opportunity of doing some sailing of her own as she’s booked on a cruise after I’ve arrived!”

For now though Tony is focussed on the next challenge – the RSHYR – and says: “I’ve been really enjoying it – shorter races compared to the longer Legs, which means closer racing and it’s been exciting! I believe we have a great crew – they are all getting on really well, which is the main thing. No clashes, it’s going well.”

IMAGE: Tony and the Sanya Serenity Coast team winning the Stormhoek Social Spirit Award at Race 4 Prize Giving.

The RSHYR doubles as Race 5 of the Clipper 2017-18 Race and will begin on Boxing Day in Sydney Harbour. Watch how Tony’s team, Sanya Serenity Coast and the rest of the Clipper Race fleet gets on throughout the race on the Race Viewer.