David Sautret

Role: Skipper

Skipper David Sautret says a lifetime on the water has taught him that sailing is as much about character as it is about skill.

David, from near Bordeaux in southwest France, has been sailing for 26 years and is responsible for every aspect of the Yacht Club Punta del Este vessel and crew.

“It’s complicated, I am responsible for everything,” he said.

"From the boat being on-course, off-course, boat safety, crew safety. So everything that's that's happening on-board is under my responsibility. It has to be monitored by myself."

David has been sailing for over two decades and says it's the freedom and challenge that holds his interest.

“It’s the only thing I keep on doing through the years,” he said.

“I love the freedom it gives you, to be in the middle of nowhere, in the middle of the ocean, confronting yourself to nature and the elements.”

His path to the Clipper Race began unexpectedly in 2023 while training in the UK. He recalls being astonished by the number of boats, the training and the organisation.

David said he was so impressed he applied for the race but he just missed the cut off, so he considered his application was an early application for the next bi-annual race.

Reflecting on the race so far, David described it as “good and bad, but at least it’s an adventure”.

Despite challenges he said recent strong results had lifted the team.

We scored a lot of points in the in the last two races. We are coming back in the overall ranking. So I'm pretty happy about that."

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David Sautret is Skipper onboard the Yacht Club Punta del Este. Photo credit: Daniel Heggie

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