Portsmouth was treated to a magnificent display as the round the world clipper yacht race 2024 sailed into Portsmouth Harbour today. Hundreds of spectators lined the waterfront at Gunwharf Quays and Haslar Marina to witness the breathtaking sight of these majestic vessels each adorned with vibrant sails and flags fluttering in the summer breeze.
The parade featured a fleet of internationally renowned Clipper Yachts, know for their participation in the gruelling Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.
As the yachts docked visitors had the opportunity to meet the crews, tour the vessels ad learn about the challenges and triumphs of life on the high seas.
The Clipper Race is one of the biggest challenges of the natural world and an endurance test like no other.
With no previous sailing experience necessary, before signing up for the intensive training programme, it’s a record-breaking 40,000 nautical mile race around the world on a 70-foot ocean racing yacht. The next edition will be the Clipper 2025-26 Race and will begin in late summer 2025. The route is divided into eight legs and between 13 and 16 individual races including six ocean crossings. You can choose to complete the full circumnavigation or select one or multiple legs.
The brainchild of Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first person to sail solo non-stop around the world, the first Clipper Race took place in 1996. Since then, almost 6,000 Race Crew from all walks of life and more than 60 nations have trained and raced in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race; the only race in the world where the organisers supply a fleet of identical racing yachts (eleven), each with a fully qualified skipper and first mate to safely guide the crew. Crew complete four levels of intense ocean racer training before they compete.
To apply to take part in the next race head over to their website:
www.clipperroundtheworld.com
