The first Type 1 diabetic sailor to compete in a solo ocean race
Jack Trigger, born in 1993 and based in Esher (Surrey), is a British offshore racing skipper. Trained at Wellington College, he became a professional sailor and joined Team Concise (Tony Lawson’s team), where he forged the bulk of his early career.
Type 1 diabetes: a mission driven by racing
Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 21, Trigger became the first Type 1 diabetic sailor to compete in a solo ocean race. He manages his condition while racing using an insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor. As an ambassador for Diabetes UK, he has set a clear goal: to become the first Type 1 diabetic to compete in the Vendée Globe.
2018 on Concise 8: the season that set the stage
At 24, Trigger completed the 2018 Route du Rhum in Class40 aboard Concise 8 : 8th in 18 days 6 hours 18 minutes, the youngest finisher in the class. That same season, he took 2nd place in Class40 at the Sevenstar Round Britain & Ireland (losing by 6 hours to Phil Sharp / Imerys Clean Energy) and finished 4th in the RORC Class40 Championship.
Trigger Racing & Class 40 Swift
Director and skipper of Trigger Racing (London). The current program centers on the Class 40 Swift (#206), a Mach 40.6 designed by Sam Manuard and built by JPS Production, in partnership with American Greg Leonard (boat owner). 2024 season: 1st in the SSE Renewables Round Ireland on Swift.
Achievements
- 2017 — finish line of the Rolex Fastnet Race aboard the MOD70 Concise 10.
- 2018 — 2nd in Class40 at the Sevenstar Round Britain & Ireland Race aboard Concise 8.
- 2018 — 4th in the RORC Class40 Championship (Phil Sharp champion).
- 2018 — 8th in the Route du Rhum Class40 aboard Concise 8 (18 days 6 hours 18 minutes, youngest finisher, first Type 1 diabetic competitor).
- 2024 — 1st in the SSE Renewables Round Ireland on Class 40 Swift.
- 2024 — 3rd in the Drheam Cup, 13th in the CIC Normandy Channel Race.
- 2025 — 9th in the CIC Normandy Channel Race and 9th in the Rolex Fastnet Race.
