GET ON BOARD: WHAT’S ON IN SEATTLE

The Clipper Race fleet has been welcomed into the Port of Seattle having completed Race 9, which is nicknames ‘The Big One’, from Qingdao, China, across the mighty North Pacific Ocean to reach the Emerald shores of Seattle, USA. The fleet is now berthed at Bell Harbor Marina where it will remain until Race 10 starts on Sunday 29 April. Throughout this coming week, there is a plethera of events for local Seatllittes, crew and supporters to get involved with.

Step on board the Clipper 70 yachts to receive a free personal yacht tour from intrepid Clipper Race crew members who have sailed thousands of miles in this unique sailing race. These free tours will be running from 24-27 April from 10:00 – 19:00.

IMAGE: General public talking to the Clipper Race crew about their experience on the race

Our eleven Clipper 70s make up the world’s largest fleet of matched design ocean racing yachts. Specially manufactured to take on Mother Nature’s toughest conditions as they circumnavigate the globe, these yachts are built for speed, not comfort and this is an opportunity to hear from the crew themselves about racing these yachts around the world.

Stepping on board today Rich Partridge, visiting Seattle from Boston, said: “It was really cool, they are amazing. It’s amazing that the crew race on there, live on there and that its open to the general public to participate. I might add it to my bucket list.”

For John Charles, a Clipper 2019-20 Race crew member from Vancouver, this was his first time on board the yachts he will be racing in the next edition, he said: “It’s like another step towards reality, rather than just seeing videos or reading brochures. Now you get a sense of what it actually looks like, what space you are actually going to be living in so that you get a sense of what the challenge must be.”

Join us on Monday 23 April, for an exciting benefit concert for Unicef UK, Clipper Race Charity Partner, hosted by Classical KING-FM’s Dave Beck. Performance will include the renowned Finisterra Trio playing Dvorak and a program of virtuoso solos, duos and trios for cellos and violin. This starts at 17:30 at the Central Library - Seattle Public Library, Microsoft Auditorium. For more information and tickets, please click here.

IMAGE: Clipper Race fleet in Bell Harbor Marina ©️Jean-Marcus.com

The Big Red Clipper Race dome will be open all week at Pier 66, drop by and speak to the Clipper Race alumni about their experience. If you head down on Tuesday 24 and you can also sign the Unicef Spinnaker of Support where your message will go on to power the Unicef team around the world!

After being at sea for nearly 30 days the crew and their supporters will also be enjoying some time away from the yachts to experience the sights and sounds of Seattle. Following the supporters trip to watch the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field, local excursions and exclusive tours of the Boeing factory, local craft breweries The Pike Brewing Company, Fremont Brewing Company at the Centre of the Universe and Elysian Capitol Hill Brewery are offering craft beer experiences for crew and supporters, for more info visit the Clipper Race office.

Want to hear more about what it takes to embark on the race of your life from someone who has circumnavigated the world? The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is looking for adventurous sailors for the 2019-20 edition of the race, yet no previous sailing experience is required. Join us for a breakfast presentation on Friday 27, 08:00, at Washington Athletic Club to find out how you could be the next ocean adventurer. Reserve your space here.

For the full programme of events click here.