​Den Helder in The Netherlands to host Clipper Race crew

For the third time in the Clipper Race’s history, the crew will receive a warm Dutch welcome in Den Helder in the penultimate race of the Atlantic Homecoming Leg 8.

Crew will race into the north of The Netherlands on Race 13 of the leg from New York to London via Derry-Londonderry and Den Helder in July 2016.

The boats will moor at the Host Port, Willemsoord, which is the former marine and maintenance yard for the Dutch Royal Navy and has a rich history.

Willemsoord Director Hans Broekmeulen said: “I am really looking forward to welcoming the 12 Clipper 70s and meeting all the crews during their stay. We do hope that they will have an unforgettable stopover in Den Helder, which is beautiful and has lots to offer historically and recreationally.”

Upon finishing the race into Den Helder, the crew will be given zoute haring- uncooked herring eaten whole with chopped onions - an acquired taste for foreigners. They will also toast The Netherlands with a shot of Jenever - a local spirit made with juniper berries, and often called Dutch gin.

Seven Dutch crew will compete in this year’s Clipper Race.

The final race to London will start off the Den Helder coast on July 28 2016, in the presence of a Dutch Navy ship on the start line.

Clipper Race Founder and Chairman Sir Robin Knox-Johnston added: “We have an excellent partnership with the naval city of Den Helder and appreciate the support it gives us and the warm welcome it gives to our multinational crew.”

The Clipper 2015-16 Race schedule is now complete as follows:

Race 1 – St Katharine Docks, London, UK – Marina da Gloria, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Depart St Katharine Docks 30 August 2015, ETA into Rio 26 – 30 September 2015

Race 2 – Marina da Gloria, Rio de Janeiro, to Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town, South Africa: Race start date 7 October, ETA into Cape Town: 21-25 October

Race 3 – Victoria and Albert Waterfront, Cape Town to Albany Waterfront Marina, Albany, Western Australia: Race start date: 31 October, ETA into Albany: 22- 26 November

Race 4 – Albany Waterfront Marina, Albany, WA to Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, Sydney, NSW –

Start date from Albany: 1 December, ETA into Sydney: 12-15 December

Race 5 Sydney to Hobart (Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race)

Start date from Sydney: December 26, ETA into Hobart: 30-31 December

Race 6 Hobart to Abell Point Marina, Airlie Beach, Queensland

Start date from Hobart: January 2 2016, ETA into Airlie Beach, Queensland 13-14 January 2016

Race 7 Abell Point Marina, Whitsundays to South East Asia TBC

Start date from Airlie Beach: 18 January 2016, ETA into South East Asia (TBC): Mid-February 2016

Race 8: Start date from South East Asia (TBC), ETA into Qingdao, China: 10-13 March

Race 9 Olympic Sailing Harbour, Qingdao to Bell Harbor Marina, Seattle, West Coast America

Race start date from Qingdao: 20 March, ETA into Seattle: 15-20 April

Race 10 – Bell Harbor Marina, Seattle, USA to Panama

Race start date from Seattle: 28 April, ETA into Flamenco Island Marina, Panama: 25-27 May

Race 11 Panama to New York, USA

Start date from Shelter Bay Marina, Panama: 30 May**, ETA into New York: 12-14 June

Race 12 New York to Derry Londonderry, Northern Ireland

Start date from New York: June 20, ETA into Foyle Marina, Derry Londonderry 7-11 July

Race 13 Derry Londonderry, Northern Ireland to Den Helder, The Netherlands

Start date from Derry Londonderry: 17 July, ETA into Willemsoord Marina, Den Helder, The Netherlands

23-24 July

Race 14 Den Helder, The Netherlands to London, UK

Race start date from Den Helder, The Netherlands: 28 July, ETA into St Katharine Docks, London: 30 July

**This date is our best estimated date as Clipper Ventures PLC is not in control of the Panama Canal scheduling. The race shall start as soon as all of the boats are through the Canal and on the Caribbean side.

Please always remember yachts have destinations, not arrival times. These dates are our best estimates based on data collected from previous races. Due to the nature of sailing, Clipper Ventures Plc cannot guarantee these dates. We strongly advise crew book flexible flights as these dates could alter in the case of needing to ensure the overall aim of the race and the race schedule is maintained. We recommend you book travel through our recommended partner, the marine travel company.