Bekezela completes the fleet at Bell Harbor marina

As the sun rose over a sleepy Seattle, the last of the Clipper Race yachts arrived in Bell Harbor Marina and marked the end of Race 10: Ultimate Test of Perseverance.

Image: Bekezela arrives into Seattle

After a tough race, with the 5,580nm navigated in 28 days, 14 hours, 53 minutes and 19 seconds, it was all smiles from the Race Crew on board who arrived in the Pacific North West city full of pride at their achievements.

Image: Smiling faces from Race Crew as they look forward to land

Bekezela Skipper, David Hartshorn said: “This is very much a crossing of mental stamina. It’s an endurance test and that’s the biggest achievement for this team. They’ve done really well. And they’re all still talking – so that’s a bonus!”

Image: Skipper David Hartshorn

Yorkshire born Brian Wilkinson, also circumnavigating with the team, lives in Seattle when he’s not racing around the world’s oceans. Arriving home, he said: “It’s been almost a year since I’ve been here. It’s a beautiful city to motor into. I definitely took the long route home! It’s great to be here, I’m feeling quite emotional really.

Image: Bekezela team

“This race has been a real challenge. It’s so cold and remote, nothing changes, you don’t see human life, it’s like nothing else. You feel like it’s never going to end! It’s not something you enjoy, it’s something you endure. The satisfaction you get from enduring it is immense.”

Image: Emotional reunions

That completes the arrivals into Seattle, and the end of the Mighty Pacific Leg. The teams will now rest and recuperate in the city before the start of Race 11: Sena #SailConnected that will see the fleet head 4,200nm to Panama.