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Clipper Race fleet departs Portsmouth as world's toughest and largest ocean race gets underway

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You are here: What's On > Clipper Race Start

Enjoy the atmosphere and an opportunity to share the exhilerating adventure of ocean racing as the Clipper Round the World Race departs from Portsmouth. There will be yacht tours, live entertainment, crew talks, family fun (with prizes), merchandise, the Race Start Departure Ceremony, on-the-water viewing, and so much more besides.​​​​​​

Experience everything, with the Clipper Race Fanzone opening daily from 30 August until 3 September, 10am to 7pm.

Tours of the Clipper70 Yachts 30 August to 1 September 11am to 7pm Following a full refit ahead of the 40,000nm challenge, you’ll be amongst the first to tour the magnificent ocean racing fleet, above and below deck. Feed your curiosity about the technology on board and living conditions, or imagine life at a 40º angle and extreme weather conditions. The tours are free to attend, however booking is required to ensure organisers can host everyone. Book your tickets here .

Discovery Talks 30 August to 3 September Times vary by day Bring family and friends and meet the courageous Race Crew taking part, Skippers and the operating team. Find out what it takes to embark on a leg of the Clipper Race and how, with no previous sailing experience needed, it is possible to embark on The Race of Your Life.

Motor Sail Tours 30 August Hourly from 10am No sailing experience is required to join a tour of Portsmouth Harbour on board a Clipper 68. As well as a brief tour of the yacht and safety information, the professional racing team will share their insight about ocean racing around the world. The Clipper 68 fleet have taken part in past editions of the race and currently host sailing experiences for  Clipper Events  and Clipper Race training undertaken by all Race Crew. Booking is essential. Book your place here .

Family Fanzone 30 August to 3 September 10am to 7pm Calling all adventurers! Discover if you have what it takes to participate in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. Find out more about the six ocean crossings, the 14 Host Ports, 700 Race Crew, eleven 70-foot yachts, technology on board and much more. In the KidsZone, the Discovery Dome and across the Race Village you'll be able to get a real taste for an unforgettable adventure.

Live Entertainment 30 August to 3 September Times and specifics to be revealed. Portsmouth boasts one of the most diverse and exciting music scenes on the south of England. In honour of the Race Crew, supporters and fans of the Clipper Race, there will be live entertainment to celebrate the start of the 40,000 nautical mile ocean odyssey, themed 'Adventure for Good'.

Race Departure Ceremony Sunday 3 September Fanzone open 10am to 7pm ​Witness the start of this epic adventure from Gunwharf Quays and experience the atmosphere as more than 700 Race Crew from all walks of life embark on the world’s longest ocean race. 10am to 10.30am:  In the Discovery Zone you can find out about the Clipper Race. Meet the crew and hear from those who have already taken part in previous editions. 1pm:  Race Departure Ceremony commences. 1.30pm:  Race Fleet slip lines and depart Gunwharf Quays. 2.30pm:  Parade of sail. The eleven Clipper 70 yachts proudly passes the Spinnaker Tower, Gunwharf Quays and the Round Tower, waved on by thousands of supporters along the route. 2.45pm to 3pm:  Fleet Parade of sail at Southsea Castle. 4pm:  Official Race Start off of Southsea Castle.

Detailed information for those wishing to view the Race Start from the water will be available two weeks prior to the event.

About the race

The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is one of the toughest endurance challenges on the planet. This unique, epic event sees teams battle extreme conditions as they race more than 40,000 nautical miles around the globe in a true test of fortitude and determination.

The Clipper Race is the only event of its kind which trains people from all walks of life to become ocean racers, and many have no previous sailing experience before signing up for the intensive four levels of training prior to racing. Led by a professional Skipper and First Mate, Race Crew can complete the full eleven month circumnavigation or choose to test themselves on one or multiple legs.

Gunwharf Quays has partnered with the Clipper Race , becoming its Race Start and Finish Host Port, with civic support from Portsmouth City Council. This is only the second time that Portsmouth has featured on the Clipper Race route (the last time was in 2000) and is set to be the biggest launch in Clipper Race history, with a five-day festival programme of music, food, community and business events to celebrate the start of the next circumnavigation and engage with the local community.

To create a send-off to remember, local sailing clubs, organisations and boat owners invited to join the bon voyage flotilla out on the Solent to wave off the hundreds of sailors embarking on the first leg of the circumnavigation. Tickets for spectator boats will be available to buy in advance of the event, offering a chance to get out on the water and up close to the action, when the race starts mid-afternoon on 3 September.

Gunwharf Quays is home to brilliant waterside shopping, eating and drinking, with a range of eateries from classic British pubs to worldwide cuisine to enjoy with a view of the sea. What’s more, visitors can explore Portsmouth’s maritime history through the National Museum of the Royal Navy, and take in incredible views across the city and Solent from the top of the famous Spinnaker Tower whilst exploring everything this iconic British city has to offer.

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Portsmouth to host start and finish of Clipper 2023-24 Race

Thursday, June 22nd, 2023

Written by: Marine Industry News

The Clipper 2023-24 Round the World Yacht Race will start and finish in Portsmouth, organisers have confirmed.

Five days of festivities, beginning 30 August 2023, are planned for Gunwharf Quays, the neighbouring harbour of the sailing company’s operations for almost 20 years.

The only event which trains people from all walks of life to become ocean racers, the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race will see its fleet depart from Gunwharf Quays on 3 September. A Solent spectacular is planned for the Clipper Race crew as they commence the 40,000 nautical mile circumnavigation, a feat that will take eleven months to complete.

Gunwharf Quays has partnered with the Clipper Race, becoming its race start and finish host port, with civic support from Portsmouth City Council. This is only the second time that Portsmouth has featured on the Clipper Race route (the last time was in 2000), and the upcoming event will see the first on the water, public participation race start event since 2017 in Liverpool .

The 2019-20 edition resumed in 2022 after an almost two-year delay caused by the pandemic . 

This summer’s family-friendly week of events is expected to attract large numbers of visitors from both in and out of the city, making a significant positive boost to the local economy. When Liverpool hosted the Clipper 2017-18 Race Start, 220,000 spectators visited the Race Village at its Royal Albert Docks, with the projected economic impact of visitors directly attributed to the Race Start an estimated £7.5 million. During this event, 31 per cent of total visitors came from elsewhere in the UK and 10 per cent from overseas.

In collaboration with Gunwharf Quays and the wider Portsmouth city, the adventure business says it hopes to make this the biggest launch event in its history.

Local sailing clubs, organisations and boat owners are being invited to join the bon voyage flotilla out on the Solent. This stage of the event will wave off the hundreds of sailors who will face the intense conditions of six ocean crossings. Tickets for spectator boats will be available to buy in advance of the event, offering a chance to get out on the water and up close to the action, when the race starts mid-afternoon on 3 September 2023.

“Portsmouth is our neighbour and the Solent the honorary home of our international race crew when they come to our training base,” says Laura Ayres, Clipper Ventures managing director. “This is the first time in over 20 years that we have held our race start and finish in Portsmouth. By partnering with Gunwharf Quays, we can create five days of celebration fitting of the incredible challenge our courageous crew are setting out to achieve.”

“We know the welcoming and great waterfront city of Portsmouth puts on a great party and our event will be the perfect way for our local community and visitors to end the summer holidays.”

The Clipper Race Start Festival will open to the public on 30 August.

At the heart of the festival will be the opportunity to meet some of the 700 race crew who have trained to take part in this challenge and hear the inspiring stories from past crew. There will also be the opportunity to get on board a Clipper 70 – an ocean racing yacht which will be home to the sailors for up to a month at a time.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for Portsmouth, and we are thrilled to be the host for this year’s start and the 2024 finish for the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race ,” says Yvonne Clay, centre director at Gunwharf Quays. “We are looking forward to welcoming the race crew and their supporters to our centre and for them to experience all that we have to offer.”

• Clipper Round the World Yacht Race

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Clipper Race Fleet Week

June 21 - 25, 2024.

The ultimate celebration of adventure and sail!

Kick off summer in Washington, DC with the ultimate maritime celebration! Over 700 amateur sailors have embarked on the race of a lifetime. Now, the 40,000-nautical-mile-race around the world will make its only East Coast stop at The Wharf. Tour boats, converse with crews, experience live art and celebrate the culture of the Washington, DC as we welcome yachts from across the globe to our vibrant waterfront.

Fleet Week Activities

Clipper Race Around the World

Clipper Round the World Fleet, Parade of Sail

Team Washington, DC, Race Start

Clipper Round the World Fleet, Race Start

Clipper Round the World, Race Start

The Adventure of a Lifetime

The Clipper 2023-24 Round the World Yacht Race began September 3, 2023 in Portsmouth, U.K. Since then, the fleet of eleven 70-foot racing Clipper Race yachts has circumnavigated the globe and is racing toward The Wharf for its first-ever stop in Washington, DC.

The Celebration

Events DC presents Clipper Race Fleet Week at The Wharf, the ultimate celebration of adventure and sail. Tour a Clipper 70 yacht, immerse yourself in maritime culture, enjoy live music and engage in activities for the whole family!  

Events DC proudly sponsors the Washington, DC team captained by Hannah Brewis. Over the course of the race, amateur sailors from over 19 nations are represented aboard "Little Washy" with crew ages ranging from 28 to 70.   

What People Say about Clipper Round the World...

"You will never conquer or master the ocean but you can endure it. Mother Nature is an unforgiving mistress, always with one last trick up her sleeve for you when you least expect it." 

-Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Founder, Clipper Round the World Yacht Race

“ Events DC is excited to host the fleet during our Clipper Race Fleet Week at the Wharf. This will be a very exciting weekend full of maritime, family fun. I invite everyone to come to The Wharf and celebrate the accomplishments of these 11 crews who have been sailing Round the World for nine months and are on their last leg to the finish. ”    

-Angie M. Gates, President and CEO, Events DC 

“ The city needs no introduction and just look at our awesome yacht design! I can’t wait for us all to be representing this historic American landmark destination as we sail around the world. ” 

- Hannah Brewis, Skipper, Washington, DC team

Thank You To Our Sponsors!

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Clipper Round the World Yacht Race arrives in Puerto Sherry, Spain

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Published on June 27th, 2024 | by Assoc Editor

Clipper Race: The race to Scotland is on!

Published on June 27th, 2024 by Assoc Editor -->

(June 27, 2024) – The last ocean crossing and Race 13 is on for the 2023-24 Clipper Round the World Yacht Race participants. The Le Mans Start took place approximately 50 nautical miles out to sea from Chesapeake Bay at 10:00 East Coast Time (15:00 GMT). All the boats started on an easterly heading of about 80 degrees. Ten minutes later and it was every team for themselves with the difference in headings varying by almost 180 degrees.

This is the first time on this edition there has been such a massive variation in tactics at the start and followers cannot wait to see how the strategies play out.

Orchestrating the Le Mans Start was Qingdao Skipper Philip Quinn, whose team has won the past two races. He reported back from the starting line, “Welcome to the start of Race 13, from Washington, DC to Oban in Scotland. With another Le Mans underway, the fleet got off on time at 1000 local (1400 UTC).

“As the lead boat we were placed in the center of the line, where we got the fleet lined up in order. With help from all the other Skippers we were able to start on time. Just as we started, the wind changed direction, but we were able to hold our positions and course for the regulated ten minutes before we saw the fleet hoist spinnakers.

“Some choosing the biggest Code 1 and others the smallest windseeker. Some boats also immediately gybed and changed course, shortly followed by everyone else. So now the race is on. Thanks to all the other Skippers for their help in making the start work.”

The battle for the overall win of the 2023-24 Clipper Race was as hot as it gets before the start, and now it’s cranked up another notch as things turn red hot out there. Overall race leader Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam has blasted off on an easterly heading, but surprisingly Perseverance and Zhuhai, both of which finally played their Jokers this race, didn’t decide to cover or chase Bob Beggs and his crew, and have instead opted for a course 90 degrees to the north of Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam’s.

In a short report from Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam, its First Mate Cameron McCracken said, “It was a particularly light final Le Mans Start of the 2023-24 edition, but it was excellently organized by lead skipper and Mr. Qingdao, Philip Quinn. It took a few gybes and sail plans before the boats finally found the breeze to set us on our way to Oban, but we’re moving now and raring for the race ahead.”

Getting straight into tactics, Perseverance Skipper, Ineke Van der Weijden reported, “We are on our way for Race 13: Oban Atlantic Homecoming. However, to get us going was one of the strangest Le Mans Starts I ever had. Under the expert leadership of Phil, we were all lined up perfectly and on a fine reach. So far, all normal. Then, right as we start, the wind changes, and we have a deep down wind start with just 4 knots of wind. So very slow going.

“Everybody started getting Code 1 and wind seekers on deck, and just as Phil indicates the 10 minutes are over, the wind changes again. Now we are all of a sudden on the other gybe. Half the fleet hoisting kites on the one gybe, the other on the other gybe. If there had been any more wind it might have gotten spicy, but as it was, we just all floated in various directions.

“As we were originally the leeward boat, the wind shift technically meant we ended up starting as windward boat. Nice! I think we managed quite well out of the strange situation, but the wind is still very, very light, so it will be interesting to see who comes out of this ahead when it fills in.”

Joining the chasing duo on northerly headings are forth placed Dare To Lead, fifth placed UNICEF, as well as PSP Logistics, Bekezela and homeward bound team Our Isles and Oceans.

Ready to start racing, Skipper Ryan Gibson on board Dare To Lead said, “We have just started Race 13 from Washington, DC to Oban, Scotland in interesting conditions since the wind changed direction completely at the start.

“However, lead Skipper Philip on Qingdao managed to get it started and the fleet is currently getting taken along by current and no wind in different directions. We are all excited, motivated and ready to give 140% for the second to last race of this circumnavigation. Let’s go!”

Dan Bodey, Skipper on board UNICEF reported, “Our last Le Mans Start is proving to be a challenging one, with light winds making tactical choices hard to figure out. It is interesting to see the different sail plans amongst the fleet. We feel on UNICEF we did well and are very excited for the rest of the race.”

Skipper of Bekezela, David Hartshorn said, “Well done Philip on Qingdao, on being the lead skipper of a difficult one weather wise, light variable wind. I wouldn’t have wished to call that one, but we are off on the home coming ocean crossing, so thank you. Light winds saw the team conduct a faultless Le Mans headsail hoist and then reacted swiftly to demands from #1 (First Mate Maisie) and myself to hoist the Code 1 at the end of the 10 minutes.

“Just at the point of hoisting, the wind flipped, and we had to switch from a starboard to a port hoist. But they did and now we are crawling slowly at 1.8kts, and not quite the right way, but then so is the rest of the fleet. Oban, standby we are on our way.”

Hoping for another podium spot, Skipper Mike Miller reported from PSP Logistics, “Well, that was an entertaining start. The wind was just strong enough to get the race underway, well done Phil and Henry, but just as the start horn sounded there was a huge wind shift, to the extent that we, at the leeward end of the line, suddenly found ourselves at the windward end.

“Some quick thinking and some good crew work got our spinnaker up on the other side of the boat, and we find ourselves surprisingly well placed as we push towards the breeze and the current.”

Reporting back from Our Isles and Oceans, Skipper Max Rivers said, “For the Le Mans Start we found ourselves at the windward end of the pack, normally a favourable position. However, a large unexplained and un-forecast change of wind direction caused chaos in the fleet, with people heading in all sorts of directions and a high variety of sail plans.

“The wind doesn’t look like it is going to settle or fill in for a number of hours, so for the moment we play the waiting and teasing game and hope to catch whatever wind we can find as soon as we can. The crew performed well, communicating effectively and managing the required sail plans when they were asked, helping us perform smoothly and effectively.”

Yacht Club Punta del Este is currently the most southerly pointing team and is in what we’ll call the easterly pointing pack for now, with Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam leading Qingdao, Washington, DC and Yacht Club Punta del Este on the most southerly heading.

Nano Antia, Skipper on board Yacht Club Punta del Este said, “A very well executed Le Mans Start by Phil from Qingdao. It was very hard as the wind was light and shifty. We all thought we were upwind but as soon as we started the wind was directly behind us.

“We were the most windward boat, so a downwind start was not great but we managed to hoist fast and moving forward. We are now under spinnaker going east trying to escape as tonight is forecasted to ease off again. Let’s see what happens! Vamos Punta!!”

Joker-playing Zhuhai is determined for a strong result on this race. Skipper of Zhuhai, James Finney reports, ”Finally Leg 8 is under way. It was a little anti climactic at first as after an initial puff, the wind deserted us for a good hour or so, with boats going in every direction that wasn’t to Oban. Thankfully, the wind has filled in for us now and we are very much underway with Perseverance in hot pursuit. We’ll see you all in Oban!”

And after a superb stopover in its home port, Washington, DC has set sail for Oban. Skipper Hannah Brewis said, “At the pace of snails, Race 13 is off! As always, a very well executed Le Mans Start was organized by Qingdao Skipper Phil. What wasn’t anticipated was as Phil counted down to 1000LT the wind completely shifted and died, This left us all quite stuck as yankees and staysails slapped around, and we patiently waited for the 10 minutes of “holding course” to elapse.

“Once this was over there was a flurry of activity as the boats switched to Code 1 or windseeker. After a few hours of wallowing about, the wind has filled, and the fleet is moving in the right direction. Long may it last.”

With three teams vying to hold on to the leaderboard podium and others chasing at their sterns and even more with a realistic chance of bagging an overall podium finish, this is without doubt the most important strategic moment of this race so far.

All fans can do now is sit back comfortably on the sofa and enjoy watching what promises to be an exciting couple of weeks of racing.

Race details – Team list – Race route – Tracker – Facebook

2023-24 edition will take the following route (updated):

Leg 1 Race 1. Portsmouth, UK – Puerto Sherry, Spain (1200nm) – 3 Sept Race Start, arrive 9 Sept Race 2. Puerto Sherry, Spain – Punta del Este, Uruguay (5300nm) – 15 Sept Race Start, arrive 12-16 Oct

Leg 2 Race 3. Punta Del Este, Uruguay – Cape Town, South Africa (3555 nm)- 22 Oct Race start, arrive 6-10 Nov

Leg 3 Race 4. Cape Town, South Africa – Fremantle, Australia (4750 nm) – 18 Nov Race Start, arrive 8-13 Dec

Leg 4 Race 5. Fremantle, Australia – Newcastle, Australia (2510nm) – Race Start 19 Dec, Arrival 1-4 Jan 2024 Race 6. Newcastle – Airlie Beach, Australia (985nm) – Race Start 10 Jan, Arrive 16-17 Jan

Leg 5 Race 7. Airlie Beach, Australia – Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam (4515nm) – Race Start 28 Jan, Arrive 21-26 Feb Race 8. Ha Long Bay – Zhuhai, China (645nm) – Race Start 2 March, Arrive 6-7 March

Leg 6 Race 9. Zhuhai, China – Qingdao, China (1370nm) – Race Start 12 March- Arrive 21-22 March Race 10. Qingdao – Seattle, USA (5580nm) – Race Start 27 March, Arrive 21-26 April

Leg 7 Race 11. Seattle, USA – Panama Canal (4200nm) – Race Start 5 May, Arrive Panama 27 May-1 Jun Race 12. Panama-Washington, DC, USA (1990nm) – Race Start 5 June, Arrive 17-19 June

Leg 8 Race 13. Washington, DC, USA – Oban, Scotland (3340nm) – Race Start 25 June, Arrive 12-16 July Race 14. Oban – Portsmouth, UK (815nm) – Race Start 21 July, Arrive 27 July

About the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race: The Clipper Race was established in 1996 by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first person to sail solo non-stop around the world in 1968-69. His aim was to allow anyone, regardless of previous sailing experience, the chance to embrace the thrill of ocean racing; it is the only event of its kind for amateur sailors.

Held biennially, the Clipper 2023-24 Round the World Yacht Race got underway September 3 for the fleet of eleven identical Tony Castro designed Clipper 70s. This 13th edition has 24 crew aboard each yacht, coming from 63 different nationalities (105 sailors from the USA) for the 40,000 mile circumnavigation of the world.

The course is divided into 8 legs and 14 individual races, with some of the crew in for the entire circumnavigation while others will do individual legs. The team having the best cumulative score over the entire course will win the Clipper Race Trophy.

Source: Clipper Round the World Yacht Race

Tags: Clipper Round the World Yacht Race

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Globetrotting sailors depart DC for final leg of the Clipper Race with firework fanfare

F or over a week now, The Wharf in Washington, D.C. has housed a collection of boats belonging to some of the toughest people on Earth, and tonight they set sail again.

Even with a large red archway reading "Welcome to the Clipper Race Fanzone" adorning the Waterfront walkway, passersby who chose not to stop in may not truly comprehend the sheer gravity of the event.

Since June 17, the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race , a 40,000 nautical mile (NM) boat race circumnavigating the globe, has docked in the local D.C. port for the first time.

Team Washington, DC currently sits in tenth place. 

The 11 teams participating in the race have enjoyed an eight-day respite in the Nation's Capital after concluding the second part of the race's seventh leg, a 1,990 NM stretch from the Flamenco & Shelter Bay Marinas in Panama. The seventh leg originated in Seattle, Washington before the Central American stop.

The eight-legged in totality race began Sept. 3, 2023, when boats set sail from Portsmouth, U.K. Along their journey, the clippers have docked in ports worldwide including Spain, Uruguay, South Africa, Australia, Vietnam, China, Panama, and the United States. 

SEE ALSO |  Katie Pumphrey to make waves with historic 24-mile swim from Bay to Baltimore Tuesday

June 25 marks the start of the race's final leg, "The Atlantic Homecoming," a 3,823NM transatlantic odyssey stopping in Oban, Scotland before the ultimate conclusion of the race on July 27 at its origin in Portsmouth.

In celebrating the momentous occasion, The Wharf has planned a grand sendoff event. The eleven yachts will begin their departure at 8 p.m. in a slipping lines ceremony followed by a parade of sail where the vessels will line up together in formation. A large fireworks display will begin at 9 p.m., completing the ceremony as the teams set sail for Europe.

An astounding 730 total crew members manage the 11 yachts. Each boat is manned by one skipper, one first mate, and a crew of around 70 other individuals who keep things running smoothly. 

The first Clipper Race took place in 1996, with over 6,000 lifetime competitors in its 28-year history. No previous sailing experience is required, but prospective competitors must complete a 4-week long ocean racing course before being approved to participate.

Clipper Race Fleet Departs the Nation's Capital

Washington, DC, June 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race has departed Washington, DC as it makes its voyage towards home on the last leg of its 40,000nm circumnavigation. The fleet is bound for Oban on the west coast of Scotland for the penultimate stop on the adventure, before returning to Portsmouth.

In a glittering departure ceremony delivered by host port sponsor Events DC, fireworks, fanfare and a marching band, the teams waved goodbye to the capital as they headed for the iconic Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge, which made the rare occurrence of throwing open the drawbridge to send the fleet on its journey across the Atlantic Ocean.

The Clipper Race is the only event of its kind that trains people from all walks of life to race across the world's toughest oceans. Dentists race alongside students, farmers and musicians in a true test of endurance, where the sailors spend up to a month at sea. Crew can take on one or multiple legs, or the entire race around the world, which takes eleven months. Many Race Crew have no prior sailing experience before undertaking the compulsory four stages of training required to race, and each team is led by a professional Skipper and First Mate as they face the harshest conditions that Mother Nature can serve up.  

The fleet of eleven stripped back racing yachts arrived at The Wharf, Washington, DC last Monday (10 June), completing its twelfth race, suitably named the Come Sea DC Cup, and marking the first visit to the US Capital in the 28-year history of the Clipper Race.

The Race Village, which has filled The Wharf’s waterfront for the best part of a week, has seen thousands of locals visit and get involved in the action. Three days of open boats saw over 2,100 visitors to the boats that over 700 Race Crew have called home throughout the circumnavigation. Shown around by Race Crew, it was quick fire questions about life on board as visitors were left in awe at the conditions in which racers live as they sail around the world.

And the Clipper Race clearly made its mark on the nation’s capital, with over 2,000 enquiries to find out more about how to get involved in the next edition of the race made during the stopover.

The super Host Port and Team Partners Events DC have put on quite a show for the crew in town, with live music, art installations, taste tests, family  fun activities and plenty of stash up for grabs through the week’s packed agenda.

Angie Gates, President and CEO of Events DC could not contain the pride she felt for her capital city and its welcome of the Clipper Race. Speaking to The Wharf marina and its walled lined with supporters and locals, she said: "I’m starting to feel melancholy – my heart is starting to feel sad – the fact that we are getting closer to the teams departing is giving me some little sad moments.

"On behalf of the Events DC Board of Directors, as well as Mayor Muriel Bowser and the DC Council, and of course the Events DC staff, I want to extend my heart felt congratulations to the incredible sailors for taking part in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. Your time this week in Washington, DC has been truly memorable. We have witnessed your competitive spirit and passion for sailing, first hand. Without a doubt you have left a lasting impression on our hearts and on our great city, across all eight wards.

"Now, as you set sail for the next leg of your epic journey, we know you will face new challenges and conquer unchartered waters. Remember, the spirit of Washington, DC, a city that thrives on resilience and determination, sails with you.

"Let’s give it up to Team  Washington, DC  – the Events DC team - and the entire city will be cheering you on every step of the way. We will be following your progress closely and we cannot wait until you cross the Finish Line. You will forever, and I repeat EVER be part of the Events DC family. The race may end but we are family for life. From the bottom of our hearts, we wish you fair winds, calm seas and god speed.

"I also want to take a moment to thank the entire Events DC team. I wear the title of President and CEO, but I could not do this without every single member of this team. We made history y’all. This is the first time the Clipper Race has had a stopover here in Washington, DC – so I want to thank the entire team.

"So, as you prepare to depart, I want you to know you all have an open invitation to come back anytime. I know the race is every two years, but you can come back in two weeks! And maybe by the time two years rolls around, I may even join you on the yacht! Thank you everyone and safe travel." 

And in a right usually reserved for the presidents and celebs alike, the skipper of home boat Washington, DC  Hannah Brewis got the opportunity to throw the ceremonial first pitch at the Washington Nationals game.

It was a vibrant and colourful stopover that made history in the city. 27-year-old Hannah Brewis has skippered the  Washington, DC  yacht around the world, and said of finally sailing into the Home Port of her boat: “The Washington DC stopover has exceeded expectations. It has been an amazing stopover. We’ve done so much, seen so many things, met so many people. I don’t know if I will ever have this feeling ever again.”

Her first mate, Ella Hebron added: “Events DC has been an incredible sponsor right from the start. They have done so much for the crew, supporters and for me and Hannah. Events DC and Angie have been fantastic. She’s supported us the whole way through the race. It’s delightful to have someone so invested in the race, and look after us. We’re excited to be here and it’s a great partnership.”    

Max Rivers, who heads up  Our Isles and Oceans  yacht as Skipper said: “DC is great! I saw some real pieces of history. I saw the Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence and the Magna Carta. It’s fantastic to experience history at your fingertips.”

Laura Hampton, ifrst mate on  UNICEF  said of the stopover: “I love just being in the city and cycling around. It was really cool to go to the Washington Nationals game with Events DC and watch Skipper Hannah throw the first pitch!”

Race Crew on board Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam , Jaci Smith who hails from Wyoming, USA, said: “Coming into Washington DC, the capital of the United States, via the Potomac River was such a prestigious experience. I feel privileged to arrive here via the waterfront, like so many explorers before me. I have never visited my capital and have been left so proud of how beautiful this region is.”

For now, it’s farewell and thank you to the city as the fleet heads to the starting line of Race 13: Oban Atlantic Homecoming. The penultimate race of over 3,000nm will end in Oban, Scotland from the 12 July. You can follow all of the action on the Clipper Race Viewer.

Notes to editors A selection of images from the Washington, DC stopover can be found here:  https://we.tl/t-j3TU4YS5VG VNR of departures can be seen here:  https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ciec0jymg64h692bhhrod/240625_16DS_CR_WDC_DEPARTURE_VNR.mp4?rlkey=imxs6aczspndrkjwat3y6kc53&e=1&st=8uveihaj&dl=0

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​Hear from the sailing pros ahead of Race 13: Oban Atlantic Homecoming

25 June 2024

It's the final day here in Washington, DC, and after an incredible stopover in the US capital, all eyes are on the final ocean crossing of the circumnavigation and the penultimate race, Race 13: Oban Atlantic Homecoming.

Race 13 is 3,000 nautical mile racecourse, which teams will take around 16-21 days to complete, arriving in Oban from 12 July.

Famed for its unpredictable weather the North Atlantic is an ocean that still demands respect. The crew will need to be ready for anything, as low pressures and harsh conditions are not uncommon, even this time of year. Plus, with plenty of competition among the fleet, especially for the top three places, this will be a race where every team will be looking to perform at its best.

Image: First Mates in the Race 13: Oban Atlantic Homecoming briefing

We caught up with the Skippers and AQPs ahead of the race:

Ineke Van der Weijden, Perseverance Skipper: “We are in second place, followed very closely by Zhuhai in third. We want to race hard as we still want to win this. We are playing our Joker which adds a bit of stress to it, but I think we are ready. We have a good crew, all of us have a lot of energy for this next race so bring it on.

“Every single team is going to try and sail the best race they can, and what the others do is irrelevant, so I hope I can keep that clear in my head.

“Scotland is one of my most favourite places to sail on the entire planet, so I am super excited, and Oban is a cool town so I can't wait to get there.”

Joss Creswell, Perseverance AQP: “So, the conditions can be very mixed. Low-pressure systems build up in the Caribbean and make their way up the East Coast of the US, and then make their way up towards Europe. I think initially it's going to be very downwind, which we are looking forward to. It settles the new crew in nicely to sailing, gets them working as a team, and there are lots of jobs to do on deck.

“My previous job was working on a modern Tall Ship, that operated out of Oban, so it's definitely somewhere I am very familiar with, especially the Kerrera Sound that we are going to be travelling up towards Oban. It's a beautiful town and a beautiful sailing area, and I am really excited to get home.”

Nano Antia, Yacht Club Punta del Este Skipper: “Going back to the UK across the Atlantic is one of the more famous traditional routes in the world, so it's a privilege to be crossing this ocean one more time.

“The first third is really coming up around Newfoundland and getting away from the ice limits. There are sometimes good breezes around there and this time it looks like we will have a good downwind start. We might get some upwind moments until we hit the high pressure which should slingshot us all the way across. The second third is pretty much trade winds, which will be pretty straightforward, especially if no big lows are coming across. And then near the UK it can get fruity, especially near Scotland, as the low pressure starts deepening, but hopefully it will be a nice crossing.”

Angus Whitehead, Yacht Club Punta del Este AQP: “It's a monumental moment, it's awesome to be heading back into Scotland, there's a lot of family waiting, and it's exciting.”

Dan Bodey, Skipper UNICEF : "The Atlantic Ocean can have its moments. It can be nice, with good downwind conditions, which can be lovely, but we can also get these summer storms that blow in, and then you can get some short, steep waves. So, it can be just as vicious as the other oceans."

Laura Hampton, UNICEF AQP: “This race is going to be pretty monumental for us! It's our last ocean crossing. I think going under the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge, and then coming up the Kerrera Sound, and seeing the caged towers is going to give us an incredible sense of achievement. There is a lot of pressure in the race standings, and it's going to be heated.

“There are two emotions about coming home, one is excitement: we’ve been sailing and we’ve been on the oceans for a long time now, and for me, the Atlantic means home waters that I like to sail on and grew up on so there's a lot of meaning in that. On the other hand, there will be a strange transition in getting back into normal life.”

Ryan Gibson, Dare To Lead Skipper: “This is one of the most important races out of the whole circumnavigation. There's so much to lose and so much to gain, so it is really important. The crew is feeling good, so we are just going to try and do the best we can.

“The conditions are not to be underestimated, it's still the North Atlantic. We will have a bit of a light wind start and it’s looking a bit patchy. There is the current, where you must decide or go further north and avoid it. There's a big high-pressure system in the middle, and then as you get closer to the UK, you normally have the big low pressure, so the weather should get cooler as we go across, which will be nice. We should have some quite fast, good sailing, so I’m looking forward to it.”

Image: Race route

Charlie Warhurst, Dare To Lead AQP: “There's always pressure to do well. We haven't been racing slowly, so we just need to keep the energy we have and keep it going.

“It will be really good to get back into UK waters. I’ve never been to Oban before, but I have all my family coming up and I think it's going to be quite a fun stopover.”

Bob Beggs, Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam Skipper: “Being at the top of the leader board is an incredible place to be and we are 14 points ahead so that means we are in a strong place. But it is so easy to let the guard down, so we need to be on it as a team, and really do our best to continue to stay at the top.”

Cameron McCracken , Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam AQP: “We have both crossed the Atlantic a few times before, and it can throw up a mixed bag. It looks like a downwind start, but generally, we are just looking forward to sailing with the crew and trying to enjoy the last big ocean crossing.”

Max Rivers, Our Isles and Oceans Skipper: “I am super excited to be going to Oban, it's our Home Port, and we are excited to see a number of family and friends there. We’ve got a Ceilidh happening; on 19 July – get your tickets booked! It's going to be a really fantastic race, followed by a really awesome stopover.

“Then we are back in the UK with the Great British Pound. We've had a really good race, currently mid-table, and we are keen to hold on to that. If not try and gain at least one spot on the fleet. We need to fight off Yacht Club Punta del Este and make sure they don't overtake us. We want to make the most of it and make the crew proud of the effort they've put in.”

Tom Newsom, Our Isles and Oceans AQP:

“I’m really stoked for Oban; it's going to be a reunion. A lot of people who have done the previous legs are going to be there, and it should be a big party. There are four Jokers being played on this race so it will be worth pushing to upset a few people.”

“About two years ago I did SKIRR and went up to Greenland, and we saw the boats crossing as we were heading to Iceland, and it is really nice to know that the SKIRR boats are going to be there in Oban again this time.”

James Finney, Zhuhai Skipper: “I’m excited to get on with it. It will be really cool to have this race go down to the wire! It's going to be a super tight finish. So, it's game on!

We just need to race our own race and pretend the others aren't there. This is a fast downwind leg which is really good when it comes to kites.We’ve always been one of the fastest boats there, and it's a good distance that if things go tactically wrong, we can recover from it, so it made sense to play the Joker.”

Mike Davies, Zhuhai AQP: “It's a good feeling to potentially finish in the top three. James and I discussed in Portsmouth eleven months ago, that we should ‘aim for the top five'. So, top three, we are excited, happy, and it’s nice to know we are doing a good job. We have a happy team which is also really important.”

David Hartshorn, Bekezela Skipper: “It's come up really quickly. I knew it would, but once we left Seattle everything went into super-fast time.

“This race we could be out there for a fortnight, but time is going to go really quickly. This generally tends to be quite a fast race, with the Atlantic pressure, but it can change. I've experienced extremes in the past; we’ve left New York, and within four to five days people had been digging out their dry suits because it was freezing. The last time I did it, we were in shorts and t-shirts out of Derry-Londonderry, so you really can't judge it, or underestimate it, this is still a major ocean crossing, and safety has to be at the top of the list.”

Image: Race Crew on board Bekezela

Masie Bristow, Bekezela AQP: “It's definitely catching up now, that it's going to be very soon until we are back in Portsmouth. I think this race is going to be good, I think the crew will enjoy it. We haven't really had anything that fast throughout the race. We've had quite nice conditions, I'm thinking, we might get big conditions I think it will be exciting for them to have a high-paced, higher-pressured race.”

Hannah Brewis, Washington, DC Skipper: “It’s crazy that this is the last ocean crossing, not to be taken lightly at all. It's still a big old ocean, the Atlantic. So, I think we won't process it until the end when we cross the line.

“We always take each race as it comes, but we feel there is an element of potential here to get a podium because I actually feel the least amount of pressure that I've felt the entire race. Both Ella and I have done the Atlantic, and I’ve done it many times. We’ve got a bit of a buffer from Bekezela. We’ve played our Joker, we’ve come into our Home Port, and now we are just generally going for a sail, which I think means we will have better outcomes. We aren't putting the pressure on ourselves because I don't want that to overtake the feeling of the success of crossing an ocean.”

Ella Hebron, Washington, DC AQP: “With the North Atlantic you can get all sorts of weather conditions, as on the other oceans, but this can be renowned to get lows flying through so it's not to be taken lightly.”

Image : AQP Ella Hebron on the bow

Philip Quinn, Qingdao Skipper: “We decided to play our Joker, the reason being this is a longer race, so if we mess up somewhere along the line, it gives us a better chance to fix whatever it is we’ve done. With shorter races, it gives us less opportunities.

“Looking at the weather for a minute, it looks like it could be quite good, however, there is nothing to say there won't be deep lows with big winds and big seas, so there is plenty that can come. Given where we are sitting, we aren't thinking about podiums, if it happens it happens and that'sall well and good.”

Henry Hallatt, Qingdao AQP: “We have a nice long ocean crossing with lots of changeable weather, so it should be a good opportunity for good routing and good plans. I don't feel too much pressure, as we are not that close to the podium where we need to, or have to get it, we just need to keep doing what we are doing and see what comes our way.”

Mike Miller, PSP Logistics Skipper: “I’m super excited about this. It's still a challenge, it can get really stormy, and everyone is going to be going really fast, so you can't take your foot off the gas at any time, otherwise, you're going to be 100 miles behind. So, you have to work hard but keep everyone safe.

“This should be mostly downwind sailing, but some huge storms come across the Atlantic this time of year, so if we got caught with one of those, we could see gale force winds, huge 30 – 40 foot waves, that could be really tough, or it could be absolute screaming surfing with big waves, big winds and just really good fun, which is what the Clipper Race and sailing on these Clipper Race yachts is all about.”

Lottie Wade, PSP Logistics AQP: “It feels a bit surreal; I am really excited to get going across the North Atlantic and get back to the UK, but we’ve had an amazing time. Mike has taught me so much, and I'm just so happy.”

On 25 June, the fleet will depart from The Wharf, marking the beginning of the final Leg of the circumnavigation.

The fleet will pass under the iconic Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge at 2200 local time. From there, it will sail and motor onward, gearing up for the last Le Mans Start on 27 June at 0900 local time.

Follow the action of Race 13: Oban Atlantic Homecoming on the Race Viewer

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