On Wednesday 6th February, round-the-world yachtswoman Philippa “Pip” O’Sullivan joined us for our Women of Influence Lecture Series and a question and answer session.

Philippa began the morning assembly by discussing her life prior to taking on the Clipper Round the World Yachts Race, from studying a Classics degree at Kings College to her career in a London advertising firm. She spoke of the defining moment which occured on her morning commute, where she decided she wanted to move on from the “nine to five” treadmill of working life in London.

“I thought there had to be more to life than fighting to get on the Northern Line” – Philippa O’Sullivan

In spite of having no previous sailing experience, Philippa signed up to participate in the Clipper Round the World Yachts Race 2017-2018, ultimately putting her career and plans for a normal life on hold. Although she was hesitant at first, she decided that she would throw herself into the challenge.

After undergoing rigorous training, Philippa and her international sailing team finally set off from Liverpool in August 2017. The race took her to destinations around the world, including Uruguay, Cape Town, Sydney, Qingdao, Seattle and New York. She faced numerous difficulties: a hurricane with winds of up to 110 miles per hour, encounters with sea-snakes, whales and sharks and the harsh living conditions above and below deck. At one point during the assembly, she recalled being so far from land that the nearest humans were on the International Space Station.

Despite being cold, wet and tired for much of the journey, Philippa had made life-long connections and become worldly-wise. She concluded today’s assembly by encouraging our girls to challenge themselves, break the mould and be amazing.