​Déjà vu: Clipper Race fleet crosses the International Date Line

If you could live one day again, what day would it be?

It’s a question most people will only ever fantasise about, however this weekend Clipper Race crew reached a milestone point on Race 10: The Ultimate Test of Perseverance as they sailed across the International Date Line, and straight back into yesterday.

The International Date Line passes through the mid-Pacific Ocean and isroughly located on a 180 degrees longitude north-southline. It islocated halfway around the globe from the prime meridian — the 0 degrees longitude line in Greenwich, England. Crossing the International Date Line marks a return to the Western Hemisphere, and a step closer to home for the Clipper Race crew, especially the circumnavigators who have been racing since September 2023. It also means that the on board clock moves back exactly 24 hours in time.

Image: Taken on board Yacht Club Punta del Este as the team crossed the International Date Line

Skipper on Yacht Club Punta del Este Nano Antia reported from the North Pacific: “We've just crossed the International Date Line and crew are excited that we are in the right hemisphere for good. The Rolling Stones are sounding on deck, and we are doing a decent speed! You could hear from down below:‘I'm going home!’ and all kinds of cries related to being closer to home.

“Time goes fast. We are already much more thanhalfway around the world and a part of us wants this to finish but another part wants us to be living in the present and enjoying sailing around the world, which is pretty cool I have to say.”

Image: High fives on board Yacht Club Punta del Este

Skipper on Our Isles and Oceans, Max Rivers said in his recent blog: “Yesterday we crossed the International Date Line and gathered on deck to cheers it through, a lovely celebration of an outstanding feat for everyone on board. Crossing into yesterday we are now halfway longitudinally back to the UK. It is a great milestone and some delightful conditions to cross in: Code 1 up, flat boat and beaming bright sunlight.”

Hannah Brewis, Washington, DC Skipper said in her blog: “As I write this, we are crossing the International Date Line. This marks another momentous part of our round the world adventure. We’re now in the right hemisphere and on the right side of the world to Portsmouth where we started 7 months ago.”

PSP Logistics Skipper Mike Miller reported: “Lots of discussion this morning of time travel on the good ship PSP Logistics. Clearly our flux capacitor is fully functional, because, as the sun went down last night, even at slightly less than 88 mph, we went back in time.

“At the surprisingly exact location of 40 00.005N we crossed the International Date Line and went from tomorrow to yesterday. We did try to chat about what days we would like to re-live again if we had the chance (mine would definitely be our magical departure day in Portsmouth!), but it didn't really grip, and conversations turned more to milestones achieved. Halfway round the world from Portsmouth, halfway through the leg... “

Image: Bekezela crew keeping an eye on their longitude

Crossing the International Date Line means the crew get to experience the same day again. So, we asked some of the Clipper Race crew which day on the race they would live again if they could...

“There was a day a couple of days ago when it was cold - but not that cold, and foggy, and the sky was just a blank shade of white. It blended seamlessly into the sea as if it were cut from the same materials. It was dead calm, but we were still making progress. There was a bunch of albatrosses all around. It just felt verypeaceful and there were no worries.” - Sacha Tayyar Barnes, Bekezela

“Arriving in Cape Town - early morning, clear blue sky, to the iconic Table Mountain backdrop and being met by my complete family on the quayside who wasn’t even supposed to be there.” - Chris Hyde, Bekezela

“One of numerous days during Leg 3: great crew, good surf, beautiful sky... Just idyllic sailing with great people in wonderful conditions.” - David Broadbent, Bekezela

“I would repeat a night of a storm during Leg 1 before arriving in Punta Del Este, where there was an incredible bioluminescence display. And I would repeat the day of the Punta del Este arrival where tacking was very technical, and we had finished an ocean crossing and I was reunited with my wife.” - Peter Ash, Our Isles and Oceans

“I would repeat Day 1 of Race 1 when the circumnavigation started for multiple reasons: To spend time with my friend Hannah who came all the way from NZ to see me off, to soak in the atmosphere (and in hindsight the sun!), and start my race equipped with the knowledge I've now gained after seven months at sea!” - Katie Mulholland, Our Isles and Oceans

“I would re-live the day of leaving Cape Town where there was close racing with Windseekers and surrounding great scenery.” - Richard Oakley, Our Isles and Oceans

“I enjoyed brining in the new year on deck... dancing under the stars in my kilt and just thinking of the family back home and what they were doing.”- Stephen Mackenzie, Our Isles and Oceans

“I would repeat a day in Race 5 wherethere was a two-hour squall with lashing rain, 40knots of wind and was just wearing shorts and t-shirt!” - Andrew Thompson, Our Isles and Oceans

“The typhoon that showed the power of nature and change the sea state was very impressivewith the big clouds.” - Nick Cox, Zhuhai

“I would like to relive the day I saw my wife back in Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam for the first time in seven months.” - Chee Wah Lum, Zhuhai

“I enjoyed one particular day on the last race as it was just great sailing. I enjoy the sailing more now than just the challenge as have grown quite a passion for the sport. I am looking at buying my own boat and doing sailing courses once back in the UK.”- Sean McPartland, Dare To Lead

“You cross this imaginary line, which means that the earth spun backwards?! I’d re-live yesterday. Yesterday was a good day. It was Friday, and I was on the helm!”- Adams Cele, known as Dezi, Dare To Lead

“It was quite special for me, not just winning into Cape Town, but seeing friends and family and it being the first time I’d sailed in. The night before, sailing with the moon, and seeing Table Mountain with the lights 55 miles away, under spinnaker with an amazing atmosphere on the boat.” - Ryan Gibson, Skipper on Dare To Lead

“Christmas Day, which was just a lovely time underneath Australia. The weather mellowed out, we had a nice flat boat and a three-course meal. Really great sailing with a wonderful crew. That would be my choice.” - Philip Carden, Dare To Lead

“My favourite day on the race and one that I would like to repeat would be Race Start Day. It was a strange day, full of emotions. There was family I was saying goodbye to for a year, but the whole atmosphere around Portsmouth, the leaving celebrations and the parade and crossing the Start Line was something quite special.” - Megan Allpress, DareTo Lead

“The day on Leg 4 to Airlie Beach where we were sailing through the Great Barrier Reef with the kite up and popped out in first place with 100 miles to spare. We didn’t have to worry about anything.”- Mike Davies, AQP on Zhuhai

The eleven Clipper Race teams have less than 2,000 nautical miles to go before reaching the next stop on the circumnavigation, Seattle. It’s set to be an action-packed race to the Finish Line as one of the toughest races comes to a close. Keep up with it all on the Clipper Race Viewer.