Clipper 70s enjoy competitive racing in sailing classic

After Friday’s announcement that the Clipper 13-14 Race will start and finish in London, the excitement didn’t stop there this weekend as two generations of Clipper Race yachts took part in the prestigious JP Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race on Saturday.

Three of the brand new Clipper 70 ocean racers joined eight Clipper 68s in the race around the Isle of Wight, which is one of sailing’s most highly competitive races.

With close to 1,500 entries taking part in the race Cliper 13-14 Race skipper Simon Talbot guided a crew of corporate guests to lead the Clipper Race class, finishing in fifteenth overall for the monohull classes while fiercely competing with his fellow skippers on board the other two Clipper 70s.

Clipper Race founder and chairman Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, who raced on board the newest of the Clipper 70s, was pleased to see competitive racing between the Clipper Race entries.

“The Clipper 68s finished in close order which gave the crews exciting racing, but the two tuned Clipper 70s showed them a clean pair of heels.

“What was clear from the day was that the Clipper 70s have a clear speed advantage over the Clipper 68s and that was without being able to test performance under asymmetric spinnakers, where we confidently expect the performance to be greatly enhanced.

“Fifteenth overall by Simon and his ad hoc crew is a very exciting result and is a sign of the impressive performances to come from these yachts.”

The Clipper 70s are expected to be around ten per cent quicker than the second generation of Clipper Race yachts and have the potential to record speeds of more than 30 knots when conditions suit.

If you are interested in taking part in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, click here to request more information and an application brochure.