Ocean Race: David Witt says ‘probably not’ for next edition, with burden of responsibility weighing on his shoulders
- Skipper of Sun Hung Kai/Scallywag says he has a responsibility to the people on board and he’s not ‘jumping out of my skin’ to compete
- Englishman John Fisher was lost at sea during the last Ocean Race after falling overboard in the Southern Ocean
Sun Hung Kai/Scallywag skipper David Witt has made an about-turn, telling Geoff Waller’s YouTube sailing show that he was unlikely to compete in another Ocean Race after tragedy struck in his previous campaign.
The 48-year-old Australian is still grieving over the loss of close friend and crewmate John Fisher, who was lost at sea after falling overboard during the treacherous journey from Auckland to Itajai in Brazil during leg seven of the previous race.
In July, Witt said he was keen to take on another race as long as it was in the Imoca 60 category, which is being introduced for the first time. However, in response to Waller, Witt had a different answer.
“Look, Scallywags never say never but I’d say it’ll be a huge ... probably not. I’m not jumping out of my skin to do it,” Witt told Waller. “As you know we had a pretty tough one last time. And I’m getting on [in age].
“Not getting too old for sailing ... as anybody out there who owns their own boat or skippers their own boat will know, you have a huge responsibility to the people on board and the welfare of the people on board.
