World Map 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
The route shown is indicative. Clipper 2023-24 Race ports, race route, estimated days racing and additional information will be confirmed at a future date.

Leg 2
The South Atlantic Challenge Leg

Route South America - South Africa Share LinkedIn Google+ Reddit StumbleUpon

Upon leaving South America you will be straight into the Westerlies and the long, rolling swells of the South Atlantic, with spinnakers quickly becoming the sail of choice.

Surfing down the front of swells brings boat speeds well above 20 knots - whoever is on the helm will be guaranteed to be wearing the biggest smile! But this is a marathon, not a sprint - and looking after kit is essential. One false turn and the spinnaker will be in tatters, requiring the on-board repair team to begin up to 30 hours of laborious stitching. This leg can throw everything at you - from raging South Atlantic storms to long surfing runs which, together, combine to pose a unique mental and physical challenge.

After the plunge south, your bow will turn eastward toward the distant shores of Africa, bringing even more exhilarating surfing conditions and some magnificent wildlife. Albatrosses swoop above your head, whales are a common sight and crews will marvel at the clarity of the night sky as they take in the Southern Cross for the first time.

As you close in on the point where the Atlantic meets the Indian Ocean the race will almost be over and the wind can die off, leaving a nail-biting finish to this race. A traditional African welcome awaits, as you finally step ashore. From sampling the best wines, and enjoying as much Braai as you can eat, to taking a wildlife safari or hiking in the Drakensburg mountains, there is plenty to keep you busy in between preparing your boat for the next leg.

Stats

The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is the only event of its type. Anyone, even if they have never stepped on a boat before, can join the adventure.

Leg 22
1 Race
10°C – 30°C
4200mi / 7,000km
1
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Days
at Sea

Whether a marathon tactical battle across the world’s oceans or a drag-race sprint from start to finish, this is the number of days you can expect to be racing.

South America - South Africa
Cape Town, South Africa
Countries Visited

A drag race sprint from start to finish line or a marathon tactical battle across the world’s largest oceans enduring weeks at sea; each of the 14 races provides a unique challenge to each and every crew member.

Compare Legs
Leg 1
7250 miles
33 days at sea
1-2 race
TBC ports
Atlantic Ocean crossed
Sep - Oct 2023
View Leg
Leg 2
4200 miles
18 days at sea
1 race
TBC ports
South Atlantic crossed
Oct - Oct 2023
View Leg
Leg 3
5500 miles
23 days at sea
1 race
TBC ports
Southern Ocean crossed
Nov - Dec 2023
View Leg
Leg 4
4000 miles
20 days at sea
1 race
TBC ports
Dips into the Southern Ocean
Dec 2023 - Jan 2024
View Leg
Leg 5
6300 miles
34 days at sea
2-3 races
TBC ports
Coral Sea and South China Sea
Jan - Feb 2024
View Leg
Leg 6
8000 miles
37 days at sea
2 races
TBC ports
North Pacific crossed
Mar - Apr 2024
View Leg
Leg 7
7200 miles
38 days at sea
2-3 races
TBC ports
No ocean crossing
May - June 2024
View Leg
Leg 8
4400 miles
22 days at sea
2-3 races
TBC ports
North Atlantic crossed
June - July 2024
View Leg
Leg 1
7250 miles
33 days at sea
1-2 race
TBC ports
Atlantic Ocean crossed
Sep - Oct 2023
View Leg
Leg 2
4200 miles
18 days at sea
1 race
TBC ports
South Atlantic crossed
Oct - Oct 2023
View Leg
Leg 3
5500 miles
23 days at sea
1 race
TBC ports
Southern Ocean crossed
Nov - Dec 2023
View Leg
Leg 4
4000 miles
20 days at sea
1 race
TBC ports
Dips into the Southern Ocean
Dec 2023 - Jan 2024
View Leg
Leg 5
6300 miles
34 days at sea
2-3 races
TBC ports
Coral Sea and South China Sea
Jan - Feb 2024
View Leg
Leg 6
8000 miles
37 days at sea
2 races
TBC ports
North Pacific crossed
Mar - Apr 2024
View Leg
Leg 7
7200 miles
38 days at sea
2-3 races
TBC ports
No ocean crossing
May - June 2024
View Leg
Leg 8
4400 miles
22 days at sea
2-3 races
TBC ports
North Atlantic crossed
June - July 2024
View Leg