The recent announcement of the twelve professional skippers of the
Clipper 2015-16 Race was the culmination of an 18-month long process which has
taken place to find the correct candidates.
“Following more than 150
applications for the next edition of the race, these twelve skippers have shown
themselves to be a cut above the rest,” reveals Race Director, Justin Taylor, a
skipper himself during the 2002-03 and 2009-10 editions of the race.
“We often compare the
skipper trials to the toughest and longest job interview in the world. We put
the skippers under some intense pressure to see how they cope. Not just to test
their sailing skills but also their command and problem solving skills.
Justin adds: “The group selected have come through that process with flying
colours and have all demonstrated
remarkable skill, complete professionalism and total commitment to the task
ahead.”
Responsible for capturing the twelve skippers in their element is photography
agency OnEdition.
“We’ve been involved in the Clipper Race for close to ten years and have
been tasked with showcasing a number of its different angles,” explains Matt
Dickens from OnEdition.
“The skippers are a group of highly skilled, tough sea-hardy sailors.
It’s our job as photographers to capture that in our images and the group
working in their environment.
“They’ll be guiding a crew of amateur sailors around the world, hopefully these
images will help the crew get to know them and bring out some of their
personality.”
Click here for the photo gallery of the Race Skippers. You can also read more
about the skippers by clicking here.