Christmas At Sea

Over the past twelve editions, Clipper Race Crew have experienced Christmas whilst circumnavigating the world and some have even spent it racing across oceans.

Far from home, with crew mates as their family, these unique Christmases may be different from the norm but are certainly for the memory book. From decorating the yacht, Christmas carolling, presents, full roast dinners, messages from home and even visits from Santa Claus, the Race Crew pull out all the stops for the festivities. Alumni crew from across the editions share their first hand experiences:

Kaz Smith, Circumnavigator, WTC Logistics, Clipper 2019-20 Race

Receiving presents and cards unexpectedly from loved ones was amazing.

Calm seas all morning then, just as the most gorgeous dinner was being served, over to 40 deg we went... gravy everywhere!

Donna-Lee von Tunk, Circumnavigator, Qingdao, Clipper 2019-20 Race

George Dawson and Yangzi Guo gave out some prezzies to all the crew. Rhiannon read out a message from our Partner (Qingdao) and shared some chocolates. So sweet of them xx

Our Christmas tree was complete with Mini Babybel cheese for our baubles.

Julie Hood a bought some very large woolly Christmas hats to keep us warm in the Southern Ocean

Colin Tickell, WTC Logistics, Clipper 2019-20 Race

Christmas started on the midnight watch, with the full starscape of the almost Southern Ocean.

On WTC Logistics we had two Santa’s make an appearance and deliver welcome gifts and a great message from crew mate Jorg. After the usual Christmas galley problems and a delay to get in an evolution first, we enjoyed a full feast dinner and dessert.

Rachel Burgess, Circumnavigator, WTC Logistics, Clipper 2019-20 Race

Mark Light attempting to decorate the boat tree with more pink baubles on Christmas Day, Derry-Londonderry, 2011-12 edition.

Paul Wrightson, PSP Logistics, Clipper 2015-16 Race

Off the New South Wales, Australian coast

Ian Dickens, Clipper 2000 Race

Galapagos and The Times Clipper 2000 Race. It was the fourth stop of the race (Vilamoura, Havana, Colon/Panama City and then Galapagos). The fleet arrived a few days before Christmas. Back then, the shore team was generally just one person - the legendary Colin de Mowbray. But even he couldn’t be persuaded to give up a family Christmas in England, so Skippers and crew of the eight Clipper 60’s were left to do our own thing. Crew sizes were significantly smaller in those days, so the full fleet meant around 100 folk and organising one big party was easy enough. A fleet of cabs and pick up trucks took us all to a Hacienda (shouting Feliz Navidad to every passer by) up in the hills with a pool next door and we had one heck of a Christmas lunch (with about 99 of us ending up in said pool).

On Boxing Day, I swam in the Pacific Ocean with my wife and kids (one of only a few families who had made the lengthy journey to be with us) and with snorkels on, we had sea lions, turtles, manta rays and white tipped reef sharks swimming around us. My kids were 14 and 12 then and it truly opened their eyes to what the planet had to offer. Very, very special.

Sarah Thorogood, Clipper 2000 Race

Just the most incredible Christmas Day! Here is us in the trucks racing to the party! It’s the only pic that is publishable from that day!

Rob Pepin, Imagine your Korea, Clipper 2019-20 Race

Christmas in the Great Australian Bight, Clipper 2019-20 Race. Dinner was a full blown turkey, potatoes, cranberry sauce and fresh beans...topped off with Christmas pudding!!

All served up on the deck with a lovely view!!

One for the memory books. Thanks, Imagine your Korea.

Paul Rayner, Edinburgh, Clipper 2011-12 Race

On the gourmet CV1 Edinburgh, in the Clipper 2011-12 Race. We were one day out of Southport in some pretty grotty weather. We still managed a proper Christmas lunch of smoked salmon, soup, turkey with all the trimmings, Christmas pudding, cheese and biscuits and coffee and mints!!

Keith Nelson masterminded the galley with me as sous chef. We served both watches and even found some crackers and hats

Ruth Lindsay, New York, Clipper 2011-12 Race

Mini Christmas tree from New York Clipper 2011-12 Race

Sarah Thorogood, Clipper 2000 Race

This was our beautiful Galapagos anchorage. Christmas 2000

David Cusworth, Circumnavigator, Clipper 2002-03 Race

Christmas Day in Panama City, 2002. Amazing, memorable, hazy, full of friends and fun. Sums up the Clipper Race for me.

Christmas on board Seattle, filmed by crew member Jose Cedeno, during the Australian Coast to Coast leg of the Clipper 2019-20 Race.