There is no truer statement than, "a single-handed circumnavigation is truly a team effort." While that may sound like an oxymoron, it's absolutely true. John Mackay will not be competitive racing around the world without the support of a crack shore team and to head this effort he has chosen veteran circumnavigation Brian Hancock as his Project Manager and Shore Team Leader.

Hancock is a top offshore sailor having raced and cruised over a quarter million offshore miles. He has participated in three Whitbread Round the World Race campaigns, has crossed the Atlantic a number of times solo and best of all, is a top media person for all the current major offshore sailing events from the Vendée Globe to the Volvo Ocean Race.
Brian will work closely with John Mackay to develop a comprehensive shore team that will include boat mechanics, media and PR personnel, and a dedicated television team that will document the campaign for the Scottish media and also for global distribution.

Backing up Hancock will be Portuguese PR and media expert Ricardo Diniz. Diniz is one of the foremost solo sailors in Portugal and was a finalist in Portugal’s “Most Inspiring Citizen” contest. He is Europes “Ambassador of the Oceans” working tirelessly to forge strong ties between political, business and social forces in an effort to make the Ocean the center of commerce and culture. He is the co-founder of the Portugal Ocean Race and a sought after inspirational speaker.