Biography

Nationality: Northern Ireland

Where from: County Down

Nautical miles logged: 8,500nm

Philip Quinn, 57, joins the Clipper Race as he steps up as skipper to lead Qingdao on the next legs of the 2023-24 edition.

Sailing since the age of 12, Philip learnt to sail on minor dinghies, before working his way up through his RYA qualifications where he has achieved up to the level of Yachtmaster Ocean. Philip is also a fully qualified cruising instructor, powerboat instructor and shore-based theory instructor to Yachtmaster Offshore Level.

Philip takes his sailing seriously, having competed, and placed, in many sailing competitions in the UK, Ireland and Internationally. Philips accolades include: Irish Champion at the Sonata Nationals, 4th place Round Ireland Race, 3rd place Police Sport UK Offshore Championships and Race winner Police Sailing World Championships.

Philip has also taken part in the Fastnet Race twice, F18 World Championships, two round Ireland Races, one of which was completed double handed, Round Isle of Man Race, Beaufort Cup and West Highland Yachting Week, plus more.

For over 30 years, Philip served in front-line roles with the Police Service of Northern Ireland, including time spent working for the UN in Kosovo alongside many other nationalities and experiencing and appreciating different cultures so very different from that of his hometown in Northern Ireland.

Working through the ranks to Inspector before he retired from policing in 2018, Philip is a natural in remaining calm while being able to see the ‘big picture’, making decisions based on all that is going on, and often in spite of all that is going on. A perfectly transferrable skill to ocean racing.

On retiring from the Police, Philip’s dream was to spend all of his time on the water and fulfil his lifelong mission of sailing round the world. Philip recently joined the Clipper Race family, priding himself on his ability to share his wealth of long-time sailing knowledge in leading and developing teams. Philip has skippered all four levels of Clipper Race Crew Training Courses and delivered many weeks of training to Race Crew for the Clipper 2023-24 and 2025-26 Race. He has also competed in the 2023 Fastnet Race on board a Clipper 68.

Setting his sights on the role of Clipper Race skipper, Philip believes his healthy competitive attitude mixed with enough experience to know the weight of responsibility is what makes him best suited for the challenge at hand. His drive is to lead like-minded, enthusiastic and adventurous sailors in a race around the world, and not just in a cruise scenario, and considers it the opportunity of a lifetime.

When he’s not sailing, or dreaming about sailing, you can find Phil working (or sailing) on his own boat or sometimes taking the unconventional option of land-based activity to walk his dog.

To quote Philip, “Optimism and pessimism are equally infectious, but an optimistic and harmonious crew is integral to success.”

Philip Quinn, 57, from County Down has over 40 years sailing experience. Recently achieving his Yachtmaster Ocean, alongside qualifications in cruise, powerboat and shore-based theory, Philip is a highly competent sailor and instructor. His competitive nature has seen him place in sailing competitions across the UK and Ireland and makes him well suited to the role of a Clipper Race skipper. Philip is driven by his desire to lead like-minded, enthusiastic and adventurous sailors in a race around the world.