Alumna Makes History as Youngest Captain in Round the World Clipper Race

East Sussex College alumna Ella Hebron is making waves once again at the Round the World Clipper Race – and this time, she’s at the helm.

After serving as First Mate in last year’s Round the World Clipper Race, Ella returns for the 2025 race as the youngest ever Captain, leading a team of amateur sailors on the iconic global journey.

Ella, who studied Sport & Exercise Science at East Sussex College’s Eastbourne campus until 2022, has continued to chase her sailing ambitions ever since leaving college – from boat shows in the Mediterranean to ocean racing across the Atlantic. This year, her story reaches new heights as she takes on one of the most prestigious and demanding roles in the world of sailing.

“It was a moment of relief as becoming a Clipper Race Skipper has been a dream since my early teens,” Ella said. “My tutors at East Sussex College believed in me and gave me the flexibility to work towards getting some of the necessary qualifications alongside my studies. There was also a sense of pride, and an overwhelming sense of responsibility.

“Personally, it means stepping into a role I’ve worked towards for years, but it also represents a broader message: that age doesn’t define leadership, and that young people can hold space in high-pressure, high-performance environments when given the opportunity.”

The #ClipperRace attracts people from all walks of life and involves training everyday individuals to become ocean racers. Eleven teams compete across more than 40,000 nautical miles in a fierce test of endurance and seamanship, stopping in destinations from Uruguay to Australia, China and the USA.

For Ella, the transition from First Mate to Skipper represents not only a new title, but a deeper commitment to her crew and the values she brings to leadership.

“The step up to Skipper comes with deeper responsibility,” she explained. “Last race we sailed in waves taller than houses and winds of over 85 knots (similar to miles per hour). We reached our top boat speed of 36 knots surfing down an enormous roller in the North Pacific and raced through the South China Sea, teeming with fishing fleets – at night. The biggest responsibility is bringing everyone home safely.

“The thing that drew me to becoming skipper was the opportunity to lead with my own strategy for setting and maintaining the tone for the team’s culture and cohesion. It’s not just about racing a boat around the world but doing so in a way that reflects our team's purpose: bringing our best selves, acting with kindness, and working in unity.”

Ella added, “This is where leadership becomes more than just decision-making; it’s about living the values every day. I must model these values because on board every day; those behaviours are contagious. They create the conditions for high performance and trust, especially when you're thousands of miles from land in the toughest weather."

Ella knows that leadership on board goes far beyond navigation and decision-making – it’s about creating a culture where everyone can thrive.

“When you're leading a team as diverse as ours, with different strengths, vulnerabilities, and lived experiences, building unity isn’t just ideal; it’s pivotal. Being a good sailor is one thing, but being a leader means creating an environment where others feel safe to grow, contribute, and perform at their best. That’s what drives us toward the podium: not just skill, but collective integrity, kindness, and resilience.”

Reflecting on her personal journey, Ella encourages aspiring leaders to stay true to themselves.

“What matters most is your willingness to learn, to work hard, and to lead with authenticity,” she said. “You don’t need to change who you are to fit into a traditional leadership mould. In fact, the more you lean into strengths such as empathy, calmness, reflection, the more effective you’ll be. There’s power in quiet confidence. There will be knock downs along the way. Some of the knocks I’ve taken have been hard to get back up from, but they have made me stronger, more resilient, and a better sailor, person and leader.”

She also shared some practical advice for those looking to follow a similar path.

“Find yourself a discussion partner, who you can trust to challenge you and guide you to theories and resources that will make you reflect more deeply. Due to your age and gender, there will be those who are quick to openly doubt and critique you: it’s just noise. One of the biggest things I’ve learnt along the way is to cut out the noise!”

Ella credits Clipper Ventures for its progressive hiring approach and stresses the importance of broader representation in sailing.

“Look for companies who judge applicants on merit. This year Clipper Ventures has employed more female professional sailing staff than men. Within the sailing industry there is more work to be done, for example we would also benefit from more culturally and ethnically diverse voices at the helm.”

If you’re inspired by Ella’s journey and want to find out more about where Sport & Exercise Science can take you, click here to view the full range of courses available at East Sussex College.