Philip Quinn has been chosen as the new Skipper of Qingdao in the Clipper Round the World Race. He will join from Airlie Beach in Queensland, Australia, at the start of a long stint of about 26000 miles to the finish, taking in Legs 5 to 8.
Phil replaces Greg Hunt who had to withdraw due to an ongoing medical condition and Jeronimo Santos Gonzalez will be with the team as Skipper until the end of Leg 4.
Phil, 57, is an ex Sailing Captain of Strangford Lough Yacht Club in County Down and has over 40 years of sailing experience.
With an RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Ocean, alongside Instructor qualifications in Cruising, Powerboat and Shore-based Theory, Phil is a highly competent sailor and teacher. His competitive nature has seen him placed in sailing competitions across the UK and Ireland and makes him well suited to the role of a Clipper Race Skipper. He has raced in Flying Fifteens, Sonatas, F 16s and is a relief skipper for Strangford Activity Centre and Sail School NI.
Among boats Phil has owned are the Projection 35 Fat Tony and a Julian Everitt designed ¾ Tonner called Charlie Don’t Surf. He competed in the latest Rolex Fastnet Race and has raced the Round Ireland Race several times, once Double Handed.
Philip is driven by his desire to lead like-minded, enthusiastic, and adventurous sailors in a race around the world.
Arriving in Airlie Beach in early January, Philip will be in port for the Leg 4 arrival window, and this will give him the opportunity to spend time with Jeronimo and get to know the Qingdao Race Crew before the team departs on Leg 5.
Replacing AQP (Additional Qualified Person or ‘First Mate’) Steve Westwood who will be stepping off Qingdao in Newcastle to take over as the Clipper Race Manager at HQ in Gosport in February 2024, will be Henry Hallatt. Henry, 25, from Norfolk, is an experienced sailor, a qualified Yachtmaster Ocean, and a Cruising Instructor.
Phil is eager to start this venture “I’m so excited to be joining the Clipper Round the World Race and meeting the crew in Airlie Beach. It is also a privilege to be taking the helm on and representing Qingdao, the Clipper Race’s longest-running partner”.