Neal McDonald

The renowned British yachtsman Neal McDonald is Justin Chisholm’s guest on the latest episode of The Yacht Racing Podcast EXTRA.

McDonald is perhaps best known for his ocean racing achievements in the Whitbread and Volvo Ocean Race, but he is also an Olympic campaigner and won world and European dinghy titles in his time – as well as spending eight years campaigning on the Australian 18-foot skiff circuit.

As well as six Whitbread and Volvo Ocean appearances as a sailor – including twice as a skipper – Neal coached Ian Walker’s Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing Team to victory in the 2014-15 edition, and took on the same role with the Spanish Mapfre team in the 2017-18 race.

Away from the fully crewed racing Neal has put his technical analysis skills to good use as part of Alex Thomson’s last two Hugo Boss Vendee Globe campaigns.

Neal is one of professional yacht racing’s great characters and always great to chat to, so this was a fun interview to record and one we are sure our listeners will enjoy.