Biography

Where from: Punta del Este, Uruguay

Nautical miles sailed: 89,000nm

33-year-old Fernando Antia Bernardez, known to everyone as Nano, joins the lineup of Race Skippers as the first Clipper Race Skipper to hail from South America and Portugal respectively. Having circumnavigated the globe as well as another half, Nano brings a huge amount of ocean-racing experience, combined with a real zest for adventure and teamwork.

Nano made history when he became the first Uruguayan to circumnavigate the globe on the Clipper Race, where he faced phenomenal seas and Force 12 winds. Despite having never sailed before signing up as crew, Nano’s talent was recognised and he was appointed Watch Leader. At this point it was clear to him that a career in sailing was the path he would take.

Following the race, Nano went on to build his experience in racing and instructing with Clipper Events and various iconic races such as the RORC Fastnet Race and the Rolex South Atlantic Circuit. The Clipper Race recognised Nano’s strong commitment, teaching and racing capability, and offered him the role of First Mate on board Punta del Este for the second half of the Clipper 2019-20 Race. Nano, leading his team alongside Skipper Jeronimo Santos Gonzales to second place and adding another half-circumnavigation to his log book.

Motivated by creating a healthy and happy team that will work hard to sail fast, Nano is set to bring his sense of adventure and infectious enthusiasm to the Clipper Race. Having crossed the Atlantic six times, Nano cites Leg 1 from Europe to South America as the leg he’s most excited for, with the ambition to sail fast to his home continent and try and master the Doldrums. In addition, with two races across the North Pacific and in the Roaring Forties in the bag, Nano is definitely anticipating these longer, colder legs and is looking forward to the new challenge of leading a crew through some of the most difficult conditions on the planet.

Nano’s connection with the ocean runs deep. Growing up swimming competitively and surfing, Nano formed a strong understanding of the sea, and a thirst for adventure from a young age. As an experienced surfer, Nano has travelled extensively exploring world-class surf breaks around Asia, South America, Europe and Polynesia, and also ran a surf school for twelve years.