Biography

A familiar face for followers of the Clipper Race, experienced Race Skipper David Hartshorn returned for the 2019-20 edition. This is the third edition of the Clipper Race that David has been involved in. Having taken part in the 2015-16 edition as Race Crew on Leg 6, The Mighty Pacific, he then fulfilled the goal of becoming a Race Skipper in the Clipper 2017-18 Race.

David has continued his sailing career as an RYA Sailing Instructor. As part of this, he has also been involved in coaching future Race Crew as a Clipper Race Training Skipper.

Looking at his qualifications and experience, many would be surprised to learn sailing is a second career for David. Previous to working in the sailing industry, David spent three decades serving in the Police Force and retired as a Superintendent with the Metropolitan Police Service in 2014. His distinguished career included serving as the Met Police Public Order Branch Chief of Staff with responsibility for public order, and overseeing the planning and resourcing of major events such as the 2011 Royal Wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

His highly decorated career also gave David the opportunity to be a part of something he describes as one of his greatest achievements to date. Inspired by the Clipper Race, David founded and was lead Skipper on Operation Fitzroy, a project which gave disadvantaged young people from Inner London Boroughs the chance to experience sailing.