Meet Todd, a former Diplomat-Turned-Sailor

Name: Todd Unterseher 

Age: 46  

Job: Diplomat  

Hometown: From USA, most recently New Orleans 

Legs: Circumnavigation  

Todd Unterseher, a former diplomat from the USA, is one of the Clipper 2025-26 Race crew gearing up to take on the entire 40,000 nautical mile long circumnavigation of the globe when the next edition of the race gets underway this summer. 

Inspired by Geraldo Rivera’s circumnavigation of the globe in the 1990’s, racing around the world has been something in the back of Todd’s mind for some time. He said: “Seeing Geraldo Rivera complete a circumnavigation in the nineties sparked the thought of it being possible. Then the Volvo Ocean Race came through Newport, Rhode Island, when I was visiting a friend, which further spurred on the thought. Then I saw the Clipper Race on Instagram and investigated it from there, and here I am a year and a half later!” 

A former diplomat with a father who was in the military, Todd is no stranger to travel. Speaking about the upcoming challenge he says:

This is a very ‘me’ thing to do. You must live life to its fullest and I think doing the round the world is exactly in line with what I’ve done in the past. Go enjoy the world and see something new! 

Although Todd has dabbled with in-harbour sailing in the past, the Clipper Race is by far the biggest sailing challenge he’s ever taken on.

Having recently completed two of the four levels of compulsory Clipper Race training, Todd reflected: “It's been fantastic. It is an information overload but at the same time you get it all in manageable chunks and the skipper and mates help you out along the way, plus you have a great crew going alon

g with you. By the end of the two weeks, we’ve almost been able to do it as a team with just minimal coaching. 

We have had so much fun, don’t get me wrong the training is challenging. It's intellectually stimulating, there's a whole new vocab to learn and then you must put it all in motion. So, it’s a big intellectual challenge and physical challenge as well. It’s a combination of thinking on your feet and putting it into practice. Very rewarding.

During the Clipper Race, and all training levels, teams and crews live and train on board the stripped-out Clipper Race yachts. Whilst they are strong, ocean-ready 70ft yachts, home comforts are minimal and personal space becomes limited.  

Speaking about living on board, Todd adds: "It’s cosy! It’s fun. I think that intimacy builds bonds, so we’ve been joking all over the place. We had a big squall come through the other night and we all went through it together and then could laugh about it the next day. It’s been great."

Looking ahead to the race, which begins on 31 August from Portsmouth, Todd enthuses: “Each leg of the circumnavigation has its own set of challenges, but they are also the attraction for me. I think the big stuff sounds like the most fun, so the Southern Ocean or crossing the North Pacific. But at the same time, Leg 1 seems intriguing – getting to know the crew and the boat and cut your teeth with racing rather than training. I'm looking forward to all the legs!” 

When it comes to race day, there’s often a mix of emotions. For Todd, it’s pure excitement. He added:

“I feel excited, stoked about it. Looking forward to getting to know the boat, and then furthering my skills, jumping in being engineer or sewing – who knows. August 31st couldn't come quick enough!” 

Inspired by Todd’s upcoming adventure? You too could be lining up to take part in the Clipper Race. There is some limited availability on some of the Clipper 2025-26 Race legs and entries are open for the 2027-28 edition, too.