Qingdao, China - Tongyeong, South Korea
Stage 8: Sprint to Gyeongnam
Key Features: Short sprints, tricky navigation and tactical racing.
Stage 8 takes Race Crew from Qingdao, China, across the Yellow Sea to Tongyeong, Korea. After leaving China’s famous Sailing City, the fleet heads toward the southern coast of South Korea, navigating busy shipping lanes and variable coastal weather.
While shorter than many ocean crossings in the circumnavigation, at around 500nm the stage still demands sharp navigation and tactical decision making as the fleet approaches the island-studded coastline around Tongyeong.
The arrival into port, set against a dramatic backdrop of archipelago islands, marks a historic moment for sailing, as the Clipper Race becomes the first round-the-world yacht race to stop in Korea.
Stopover highlights
Thank you, Tongyeong!
First time's a charm, and Tongyeong certainly dissapoint. What a week for our Race Crew.
We miss you already! See you soon?
Tongyeong Arrivals
A homeboat win 🍾
A taste for the top 🥇 Team Tongyeong has taken the home boat home with a fantastic win. Congratulations Lou, Brian and team 👏 Joining them on the podium is 🥈UNICEF 🥉Qingdao
OBR Update 📸
BOATFEED | Tongyeong win Stage 8!
The lead up to the winning moment🫰🏼
Race Update
Due to light winds and schedule constraints for the Tongyeong stopover, the finish for Stage 8: Sprint to Gyeongnam will be at 1800 UTC on 15 March.
Skippers have been instructed to record their own GPS position at exactly 1800UTC 15 March and they must send this position to the Race Management Team via email or any other means within 10 minutes of finishing or as soon as practicable.
A digital photograph clearly showing the exact position and GPS time (UTC) should be taken at 1800UTC 15/03/2026. This photograph will be used to confirm the positions, if required.
Positions will be decided on a measurement of each team’s exact position to the centre of the Finish Line, via any remaining Virtual Marks of the course.
The results of Stage 8 will be confirmed once all positions have been reviewed and verified.
OBR Update 📸
The latest from the homeboat
Le Mans Start - Take 2 🎬 POV of the home bound boat ⛵️
OBR Update 📸
Le Mans Start (2.0)
Take two!
OBR Update 📸
Le Mans Start (1.0)
Stage 8’s Le Mans Start played out like this… However due to light conditions and strict arrival deadlines, the race was shortly after abandoned and Le Mans Start 2.0 will take place at 0000 UTC.
Race Update
Due to the very light conditions and strict arrival deadlines in Tongyeong, the Race Director has taken the decision to abandon racing with a Stage 8 restart planned for 0800LT (0000UTC) 14 March.
The fleet will remain together and motor at 7 to 7.5kts along the course.
Qingdao Skipper Philip Quinn will remain as Lead Skipper for the Le Mans restart. The Le Mans will be in exactly the same order as this morning.
Stage 8: Sprint to Gyeongnam
The homecoming
Next stop >>> Tongyeong, Korea and time to take the namesake yacht home for the first time ever 🤩🇰🇷
Stage 8 Begins
Welcome to the stage 8 live blog, expect to find your real time race updates here.
Race Stage Live Updates
Join the Race
40,000nm. 5 Oceans. 1 Circumnavigation. See you on the start line.