Fitting finale for Bermudaful stopover

The Bermuda stopover came to a close today, following a week of sunshine and island life for Clipper Race Crew. From the moment the crew stepped onto land at Royal Yacht Club Bermuda (RBYC), first time Host Port, Bermuda, greeted the teams like honorary locals, putting on an array of events for everyone to enjoy.

From beach visits to a rum tasting, carnival fun to a eco restoration project, the team at Host Port Partner. Bermuda Tourism Authority (BTA), put on a week to remember for Race Crew and their friends and family.

Race Skipper huddle before departure

David Hartshorn, Seattle Skipper: “What an amazing place Bermuda has been! The welcome has been fantastic and it’s been a real joy to get the entire Clipper Race fleet together for a proper race stopover.”

After team photos, the eleven yachts prepared for their line slipping ceremony, with the opportunity to speak about their visit highlights with Vance Campbell, Bermuda’s Minister of Sport, Erin Smith, COO at BTA, Duncan Beveridge, Director of Finance, also of the BTA and senior members of the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club.

Vance Campbell, Bermuda’s Minister of Sport meets Rob Graham, Skipper of Imagine your Korea

As the yachts departed, supporters lined the pontoons with final messages and cheers for their loved ones on board. The eleven Clipper 70s then lined up out in Hamilton Harbour for a Parade of Sail led by home boat, GoToBermuda. Its Skipper, David ‘Wavy’ Immelman, gave his thoughts on the stopover in his team’s home port: “It’s been a busy stopover, thoroughly enjoyable, and of course we had an incredible reception coming into our home port. The locals have been amazing and so welcoming to us."

GoToBermuda leads Parade of Sail in Hamilton Harbour

Following the parade, the teams headed to the Great Sound for an Exhibition of Sail, tacking their way around the beautiful azure water that Bermuda is famous for. With the backdrop of Bermuda's stunning scenery, the crew got one final look at the island that had made them feel like local heroes.

Clipper Race fleet performs an Exhibition of Sail before departing for the Le Mans Start

The Clipper Race fleet is now heading to New York. Race 13 is expected to take four to five days to complete. To find out more about this stage of the circumnavigation, read more here.