Neal McDonald

Date of Birth: 1963

In: Brighton, UK

Something about him that you don't know: He's a qualified naval architect and a member of the Royal Corps of Naval Constructors.

Who he is: A mainstay of the modern Volvo Ocean Race era, 2017-18 will be Neal’s seventh Volvo Ocean Race and his second in a non-sailing role. A former Olympian and dinghy world champion, his first lap of the world was with Silk Cut in the 1997-98 Whitbread Race. He then skippered Assa Abloy into second place in 2001-02, finished fifth in 2005-06 as skipper of Ericsson, and was fifth again in 2008-09 with Ian Walker on Green Dragon. He returned in 2011-12 onboard Team Telefónica, finishing fourth, before signing up for an onboard role with winning campaign Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing last edition – even dusting off his sea boots to sail a couple of legs.

Previous Volvo Ocean Races: 
2014-15 Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing
2011-12, Team Telefónica
2008-09, Green Dragon
2005-06, Ericsson
2001-02, Assa Abloy
1997-98, Silk Cut