39-year-old Phil joined us as an apprentice emergency medical technician in 2023, marking the start of a second career. The first of which was dominated by sailing. Now he’s returned to water in a new class of boat and has just entered its inaugural World Championships taking place in Miami next year.

Cumbrian Phil grew up competitive sailing, racing what is called the GP14 class from age 11. After earning a degree in marine engineering, he also founded a boat-building company. Ironically, he had a hand in the early production of the VX One boat, which he’s now planning on racing in Miami next year. Phil has competed at a high level, winning races at world championships, though the overall title has remained elusive.

However, a few years ago, a new career beckoned. “I fell out of love with sailing,” he admits. “I ended up running a big company instead of building boats. I started boatbuilding to fund my competitive racing, but had grown beyond that, and I wanted a change.”

After completing a first responder course in 2022, a colleague suggested the ambulance service’s apprenticeship route. Phil took the leap. Now he’s a qualified emergency medical technician and has started his paramedic apprenticeship. “I wanted a career completely separate from my old one, something that challenged me every day and something that would give back to the community,” he says. “Healthcare gives me that. I can hopefully help people in the darkest moments, and there’s endless learning.”

But following a long break from the water. He was tempted back, buying a new boat and testing himself competitively alongside his sailing crewmates Felicity and Sam, both firefighters. And early success in some events has convinced them to go for gold in Miami.

“We wouldn’t go if we didn’t think we had a chance of winning.” He says, “The commitment and cost required just to enter a regatta like this mean it’s likely our only opportunity to compete on this stage.

“Our target is to win the European Championships this year and be the lead European boat ahead of the World Championships.

“But it’s not all about your ranking. A lot can happen during a race; things can break, infringements go against you, or a small judgment call can cost you lots of time over the rest of the fleet.”

Good luck to Phil and his crew over the next year as the bid for glory continues.

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