Freezing winds, waves and the best cup of coffee you’ve ever had

When you hear the title “Chief Information Security Officer” you might not picture someone racing across the world’s wildest and toughest oceans. But for 61-year-old Hans Jevrell from Stockholm, that unlikely combination is his life.  

Raised in a family of sailors, Hans is no stranger to life on the water, having spent his youth studying at naval college before going on to the National Defence College.  

When he graduated at 23, he joined the navy and went on to have a varied career working in the Swedish Navy in the US on different command and control units. However, after stepping away from naval life in 2000, he was faced with returning to a more “normal” job. 

Moving into consultancy, Hans turned his hand to many sectors banks, airports, government, before rebuilding infrastructure at a university, and meeting people from many different backgrounds along the way.    

Yet, despite the career shift, something was missing.  

When he first heard about the Clipper Race, it was the racing that drew him in. Leaving the navy, Hans had begun to rediscover his love for competitive sailing, taking part in many offshore races and regattas. The prospect of being able to train and take part in a 40,000 nm round the world yacht race felt like a dream fulfilled.  

The Clipper Race prides itself on being an endurance challenge that pushes non-professional sailors to their limits. Towering waves, freezing winds, and long nights at sea battling all that Mother Nature has, all while living and working together in close quarters on stripped back 70ft ocean racing yachts.  

Image: Hans taking on the oceans on Leg 4 of the 2023-24 edition

It was also the international nature of the race that appealed to him, the fact that all the Race Crew on board were a mix of cultures, from all corners of the globe, all training and working towards the same goal. It was an opportunity for new friendships, and to learn more about himself. For Hans, it was as much about the human and exploration side of it as it was about racing and winning. 

“It’s nice to win, but it’s more exciting learning about how you take a team with you to do it” says Hans.  

Knowing he wouldn’t be content with just completing a leg or two, Hans signed up and completed the full circumnavigation on the 2023-24 edition, crossing five oceans, visiting 14 ports of call and clocking up over 42,000nm in his logbook as part of Team UNICEF.  

Now 18-months on from completing his lap of the globe, Hans reflects on his experience: “This is one of the toughest races you can do in the world. It’s physical, it’s mental, it’s endurance. It’s a game changer. The Southern Ocean is something you can’t imagine. Nothing I’ve ever done compares. It was amazing, but I wasn’t prepared for how different and demanding it would be. Even with years of sailing experience.  

“The dream was always to sail around the world. Before you set sail you have an idea of what it might be like, but after the race, you realise it has changed you; your home life, your relationships, your outlook on everything. 

“You realise the world is a very big place and this race teaches you to take care of the planet, and to take care of yourself.  

“After this circumnavigation, I discovered more about myself and what I want from life. I’ve learned to prioritise differently: less about work, more about family and enjoying life. It’s less about ticking boxes and more about living fully.” 

When asked what he would say to anyone who was pondering taking on their own adventure, Hans closed by saying: “If I could say one thing to someone thinking about following their dreams, my advice would be: don’t wait, you must do what you want. I feel that if I hadn’t done it, I would have regretted it for the rest of my life. Now, I feel satisfied: I had the courage, I fulfilled my dream, and no one can ever take that away from me.” 

It’s time to start your own adventure.