Richard Hewson

To say Richard Hewson is addicted to sailing would be an understatement.  Richard is currently skippering the yacht Gold Coast Australia in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race and his navigational strategy has turned many heads as he has won all but one leg so far where he came second by only 6 minutes after 3000nm.  On completion of the Round the World Race Richard will continue to navigate various yachts in regattas however his primary focus will be on Class 40 sailing with the aim of sailing around the world again in the Global Ocean Race.

Richard has spent the majority of his life at sea either on dinghy’s, yachts or ships and has developed excellent sailing, seamanship, navigational, meteorological, and sleep management skills over the course of his career, which have prepared him for his future in short handed ocean racing.

Richard Hewson was born in August 1979 and was introduced to sailing shortly after.  A brief timeline of achievements and qualifications so far is listed below:

  • 1986 Started sailing in own dinghy
  • 1987 Started racing dinghies at club level
  • 1987 Entered first state championships.
  • 1996 420 national titles, sail Melbourne international regatta
  • 1997420 national titles, sail Melbourne international regatta
  • 1998 420 national titles, sail Melbourne international regatta

In 1998 Richard joined the Royal Australian Navy and graduated in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science in Oceanography.  Richard then went on to learn navigation and served as a Mine Clearance Diving Officer for the next seven years before leaving the Navy to make sailing his profession.

In 2007 Richard sailed overseas (and competed in events in the Caribbean, Mediterranean and UK on a variety of yachts ranging from international 14ft dinghies to TP52’s and Super Yachts, and has more recently been involved with the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.  In addition to participating in regatta’s Richard passed his examinations as Master Mariner and began working as a mate on merchant ships in between Australia and Asia when not sailing.

A brief description of other accomplishments is listed below.

  • 1999 CYCA Offshore and Inshore race series
  • 1999 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race , Alexandria, Smalbrig 38, Helmsman
  • 2003 CYCA Offshore and Inshore race series
  • 2004 CYCA Offshore and Inshore race series
  • 2004 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race Wild Rose Boat Captain
  • 2005 Delivery Wild Rose Hobart – Sydney, Boat Captain
  • 2005  CYCA Offshore and Inshore race series
  • 2005 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race , Lyons 54, Bow
  • 2006 Western Australian Ocean racing ‘Wild One’ Helm, Nav
  • 2006 Etchill 22 West Australian Championships
  • 2006 Sydney Hobart Yacht Race Fincorp More Witchcraft Bow
  • 2007 Delivery Fincorp More Witchcraft  Hobart – Sydney, Boat Capitan
  • 2007 Caribbean Racing Circuit Jabawoki – bow
  • 2007 Delivered  SY Open Season out of refit, La Spezia Italy
  • 2007 Mediteranian Superyacht Circuit SY Open Season, Bow
  • 2007 Rigging assistant Open 60 Estrella  Damm, Offshore Challenges
  • 2007 Cowes Week Regatta ‘Fedessa Fastwave’ TP52 Navigator            200
  • 2007 International 14 European Championships, Cowes
  • 2007 Fastnett Yacht Race ‘Windsong’ Boat Captain/Navigator/Helm
  • 2008 Mini Transat training WA Coast, Gypsy, Modified TS 20, Solo
  • 2008 Western Australian Ocean racing ‘Wild One’ Navigator.  Wild
  • 2008 Etchill 22 West Australian Champtionships
  • 2009  Caribbean Racing Circuit ‘Windemere’ Boat Captain Navigator & Tactition.
  • 2009 French and mediteranian classic regatta circuit
  • 2010  Sydney Hobart Yacht Race Fincorp More Witchcraft
  • 2011  Sydney Hobart Yacht Race Titania Navigator
  • 2011  Clipper Round the World Yacht Race UK – Madeira– Skipper/Navigator 1st
  • 2011  Clipper Round the World Yacht Race Madeira – Rio – Skipper/Navigator 1st
  • 2011  Clipper Round the World Yacht Race Rio – Cape town Skipper/Navigator 1st
  • 2011  Clipper Round the World Yacht Race CT – Geraldton Skipper/Navigator 1st
  • 2011  Clipper Round the World Yacht Race Geraldton –NZ Skipper/Navigator 1st
  • 2011  Clipper Round the World Yacht Race NZ – Gold Coast Skipper/Navigator 2nd
  • 2012  Clipper Round the World Yacht Race GC – Singapore –Skipper/Navigator 1st

“I not only understand how to sail fast, but also am in tune with the oceans and weather systems that play an integral roll in winning a long distance yacht race. Meticulous preparations combined with years of experience, physical and mental training that allow me to keep the boat at the peak of performance, while I manage the sleep patterns, navigation, sail trim and the day to day maintenance of a yacht in an event such as the Global Ocean Race and other long distance ocean races”

                                                                                                                                                                                 Richard Hewson