Clipper Race fleet to sail into Cape Town for eleventh time

The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race will be visiting the iconic V&A Waterfront in the city of Cape Town for the eleventh time as part of their global race route.

Marking Host Port number four on the circumnavigation, the vibrant waterfront will welcome Race Crew with more than 10,000nm under their sails following their send off from Portsmouth at the Race Start in September.

Image: Clipper Race fleet in Cape Town during 2019-20 edition

The arrival into port will mark the end of Leg 2: The South Atlantic Leg. Teams will have a few days to enjoy the rest, recuperate and soak up everything Cape Town has to offer before the boats set sail again and they embark on Leg 3: The Roaring Forties Leg.

On this race edition eleven South African crew members will be joining the adventure of a lifetime. Two of the Race Skippers and five Race Crew will get to experience sailing into their home country, and five crew members will depart Cape Town to sail across the Roaring Forties to Western Australia.

David Green, CEO of V&A Waterfront said: “We’re very pleased and look forward to welcoming the Clipper Race community back to the city and the Waterfront, bringing as it does attention to the potential for growing the city’s ocean economy, be that through tourism, education, hospitality and the many other critical services and logistics of hosting this event. Our extraordinary location places the oceans at the heart of the V&A Waterfront’s vision and sharing this resource with the world is key to our purpose.”

Clipper Ventures Deputy Race Director, Dale Smyth, a South African National, had the pleasure of sailing into Cape Town as Race Skipper in the 2017-18 edition. He said: “It’s fantastic that the fleet will once again be visiting my home country of South Africa and taking a stopover at this bustling port in Cape Town. The teams will have faced some grueling days of sailing prior to their arrival - having crossed the unpredictable South Atlantic – but berthing at the V&A Waterfront will be the perfect opportunity to unwind and enjoy the breathtaking scenery the city has to offer.”

Image: Choppy conditions on the sail into Cape Town

Nestled just beneath Table Mountain and bordered by sea to both sides, Clipper Race crew can expect plenty of activities in the vibrant city of Cape Town during the stopover. With the V&A Waterfont being located close to the historic centre, it makes it perfect base to visit the many beaches, mountains, and forests nearby: top things to do include hiking Table Mountain, driving along the coastal roads or simply taking in the buzz of city life at the many galleries and cafes.

Getting to experience the pride of sailing into their home country this year are South African Skippers Greg Hunt and Ryan Gibson.

Image: Skippers Ryan Gibson and Greg Hunt

Capetonian Skipper Ryan Gibson said “Sailing into South Africa on the route will be amazing! I sailed out in 2008 and I’ve basically been working on boats ever since. I’ve come home for regular visits, but I’ve never sailed in so to arrive in the city with the Clipper Race as a Skipper will be one of the highlights of my career.”

Race Skipper Greg Hunt added: “Sailing home to South Africa with my crew will be an honour and I can’t wait to show them our beautiful country. I’m also really looking forward to racing from South Africa to Australia- I’m sure we’ll fly along! I think it’s going to be some of the best sailing, downwind for days on end.”

Eleven South African crew are participating in the Clipper 2023-24 Race. Five of these adventurers will experience sailing into their home country at the completion of Leg 2 and five Race Crew will depart Cape Town marking the start of Leg 3.

The Clipper Race fleet is expected to arrive at V&A Waterfront from 6 November 2023 and will depart on 16 November.