Phil Sharp is one of the most successful offshore sailors in recent years. He has achieved top results in the toughest transatlantic races including The Transat, Route du Rhum, Mini Transat, and Transat Jacques Vabre. Breaker of three World Sailing Speed Records and winner of two Class 40 ocean racing championships, Phil is one to watch on the water.
As a Mechanical Engineer Phil also has the eye for innovation and is determined to apply his skills to the conservation of the ocean launching OceansLab – a bid to demonstrate future technologies such as hydrogen in round-the-world races such as The Ocean Race and the Vendée Globe.
OceansLab
Whilst being competitive on the water, Phil has a passion for innovation and the environment. Over the years he has been directly exposed to toxic air pollutants emitted by ships, which contribute significantly to climate change, and human and ecosystem health below the sea and on land. In response Phil has led a bid to support the maritime industry in meeting crucial climate change targets with the development of a practical and scalable hydrogen fuel cell electric system as a solution to replace fossil fuel power. In 2019 he launched OceansLab, a development campaign of Energy Challenge. Its mission is to pioneer clean technologies in the toughest ocean races. Phil aims to demonstrate the durability and reliability of renewable energy technologies in around-the-world races: The Ocean Race and the Vendée Globe. For more information visit OceansLab.world.
Career Objective
To race around the world with zero reliance on fossil fuels.
His results to date have earned him a place in the premier league, one of the most respected sailors on the circuit as well as one of the kings of the Class 40. So for Sharp the next step is obvious: the Vendée Globe.
Phil Sharp is one of the most successful offshore sailors in recent years. He has achieved top results in the toughest transatlantic races including The Transat, Route du Rhum, Mini Transat, and Transat Jacques Vabre. Breaker of three World Sailing Speed Records and winner of two Class 40 ocean racing championships, Phil is one to watch on the water.
As a Mechanical Engineer Phil also has the eye for innovation and is determined to apply his skills to the conservation of the ocean launching OceansLab – a bid to demonstrate future technologies such as hydrogen in round-the-world races such as The Ocean Race and the Vendée Globe.
OceansLab
Whilst being competitive on the water, Phil has a passion for innovation and the environment. Over the years he has been directly exposed to toxic air pollutants emitted by ships, which contribute significantly to climate change, and human and ecosystem health below the sea and on land. In response Phil has led a bid to support the maritime industry in meeting crucial climate change targets with the development of a practical and scalable hydrogen fuel cell electric system as a solution to replace fossil fuel power. In 2019 he launched OceansLab, a development campaign of Energy Challenge. Its mission is to pioneer clean technologies in the toughest ocean races. Phil aims to demonstrate the durability and reliability of renewable energy technologies in around-the-world races: The Ocean Race and the Vendée Globe. For more information visit OceansLab.world.
Career Objective
To race around the world with zero reliance on fossil fuels.
His results to date have earned him a place in the premier league, one of the most respected sailors on the circuit as well as one of the kings of the Class 40. So for Sharp the next step is obvious: the Vendée Globe.
The Beginning…
Born into a sailing family, Phil spent most of his childhood summers exploring Nordic coasts – it wasn’t until university where he first tasted racing. Acting as commodore and captain to the Imperial College Sailing Team he led the team to victory in the 2003 Cowes Week. Shortly after graduating from university with a Masters in Mechanical Engineering, Phil started racing in the Mini class, and in September 2005 he competed in the Mini Transat, a single-handed race from France to Brazil in 21ft boats, considered to be one of the toughest offshore races. After 3 weeks and 4,500 miles, Phil finished in 4th place overall, the second best British result in the 30-year history of the race. A year later Phil went on to win the Route du Rhum single-handed race from France to the Caribbean and would continue to challenge the Class for several years to come.
Sharp’s reaction to the mainsail crisis, which would have undoubtedly aborted the race of lesser skipper, encapsulates his conduct throughout the entirety of the race: courageous, innovative, relentless.
“No matter what it takes to succeed he will be able to deliver. And it’s not just sheer will and talent, skills and preparedness that make the difference. Phil Sharp also airs this positivity and seemingly endless energy only true champions have. He is the one you can always count on.”
25 PODIUM RESULTS
Career Highlights
- Record – 2019 Around the Isle of Wight (40 ft and single-handed) WRSSC, Class 40 OceansLab
- 3rd – 2018 Route du Rhum, Class 40 Imerys Clean Energy
- Record – Round Britain and Ireland (<40 ft) WRSSC, Class 40 Imerys Clean Energy
- 1st – 2018 Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race, Class 40 Imerys Clean Energy
- 1st – 2018 Normandy Channel Race, Class 40 Imerys Clean Energy
- 3rd – 2017 Transat Jacques Vabre, Class 40 Imerys Clean Energy
- 2nd – 2017 Rolex Fastnet Race, Class 40 Imerys Clean Energy
- 2nd – 2017 Les Sables – Horta – Les Sables, Class 40 Imerys Clean Energy
- 1st – 2017 Normandy Channel Race, Class 40 Imerys Clean Energy
- 1st – 2017 Grand Prix Guyader, Class 40 Imerys Clean Energy
- Record – 2016 Cowes – Dinard, WRSSC (<60 ft), Class 40 Imerys Clean Energy
- 2nd – 2016 Normandy Channel Race, Class 40 Imerys Clean Energy
- 3rd – 2016 The Transat bakerly (solo), Class 40 Imerys Clean Energy
- Record – 2015 Length of Britain, Sailing
- 3rd – 2015 Fastnet, Class 40
- 1st – 2014 Chicago – Mackinac Great Lake Race (double-handed), Seascape 27
- 2nd – 2013 Rolex Middle Sea Race, Level Class (Class 40)
- 1st – 2012 Rolex Middle Sea Race, Level Class (Class 40)
- 3rd- 2011 Solitaire du Figaro (solo) rookie class, 18th overall, Figaro
- 1st – 2011 Solo Basse Normandie (solo), Figaro
- 1st – 2011 Solo La Grande Motte (solo), Figaro
- 1st – 2010 UK Figaro Nationals (double), Figaro
- 1st – 2010 London Boat Show Skiff Grand Prix (helm), 49er
- 5th – 2007 Rolex Fastnet, (Helmsman) Volvo 60
- 1st – 2006 Route du Rhum (solo, France – Guadeloupe), Class 40
- 3rd – 2006 Mini Fastnet, (double) Mini 650
- 4th – 2005 Mini Transat (solo, France – Brazil), Mini 650
- 24hr Record for 2005 Mini Transat
- 3rd – 2005 Transgascogne (solo), Mini 650
- 4th – 2005 Open Demi Cle (double), Mini 650
- 6th – 2005 Mini Pavois (solo), Mini 650
- 2nd – 2005 Odysee D’Ulysse (double), Mini 650
- 1st – 2003 Cowes Week, Sunsail 36 class (Skipper)
- 1st – 2003 Student Yachting Nationals – Offshore, Sunfast 37
Records and Achievements
- WSSR + Guinness World Record for Around Isle of Wight (40 ft & single-handed), 2019
- WSSR + Guinness World Record for Round Britain and Ireland record (<40 ft), 2018
- Class 40 Championship, 2017, 2018
- Class 40 European Trophy, 2017, 2018
- WSSR + Guinness World Record for solo cross-Channel record (<60 ft), 2016
- Seahorse International Sailor of the Month, Aug 2016
- Seahorse International Sailor of the Month, Sept 2011
- Seahorse International Sailor of the Month, Jan 2007
- Channel Island Sports Personality of the Year 2006
- BBC Jersey Sports Personality of the Year 2006
- RCC Seamanship Medal 2006
Facts
Date of Birth: 11 May 1981
Place of Birth: Jersey, Channel Islands
Nationality: British
Education: Imperial College London
Degree: MEng (Hnrs) in Mechanical Engineering
Hobbies: Windsurfing, Triathlon, Sailing
Offshore Class Experience: Mini 650, Figaro, Class 40, Volvo 60/70, IMOCA60
Inshore Class Experience: 49er, F18, Extreme 40, Diam24
Career Highlight: Winning the 2006 Route du Rhum