Liverpool 2018 Clipper 2017-18 Race Highlights

As we continue to look back at Clipper 2017-18 Race team highlights, today we are shining the spotlight on Liverpool 2018 which claimed ninth place overall.

The bright pink Liverpool 2018 team yacht, affectionately nicknamed the Pink Panther, was a very fitting home for the lively team that quickly grew a reputation as being the fun boat. The team fully embraced its partner and completely encompassed the spirit of Liverpool as they flew the flag for the city around the globe.

It was this team sprit that saw Liverpool 2018 race very competitively and despite some setbacks, the crew’s relentless determination achieved three podium positions: third place in Race 6 and Race 8 and second place into its home port in Race 13. They also scored points in three Scoring Gates; during Race 2, Race 10 and Race 11; one Elliot Brown Ocean Sprint during Race 12 and claimed third place in the Race Finish Sprint up the Mersey to Royal Albert Dock Liverpool.

The Liverpool 2018 team also made history during the 2017-18 edition when it won the first ever in port race held during the debut stopover in Sanya, China.

Image: Liverpool 2018 wins first ever in port race

In another first for the Clipper Race, the first Uruguayan to compete in the Clipper Race, Nano Antia, was part of the Liverpool 2018 team. A newcomer to sailing, Nano successfully completed the full circumnavigation which included a stopover in his hometown, Punta del Este, and worked his way up to Watch Leader.

Speaking about the feat, Nano said: “It has been an honour to take part in the Clipper Race. It is good to be the first Uruguayan to take part but I hope that there will be many more to do so in the future!”

Image: Nano Antia

Over the course of the eleven-month race, Liverpool 2018 Skipper and crew kept followers entertained through blogs and updated with some great photos courtesy of some impressive photography skills. In fact, the team won two of the photo competitions during the circumnavigation, once for Race 1 and again during Race 9 across the Mighty North Pacific Ocean.

Image: Race 9 on board action

Image: Race 1 Photo Competition winner

Support for the team was ever-present and never without a pink accessory to hand, the Liverpool 2018 Race Crew supporters were always on hand to cheer on the team, and its mascot Albert the bear, through the good times and the tough times

Round the world crew member Neil Stafford, 35, from Cheshire, who was responsible for the onboard photos and videos, reflects in his final blog on the experience as a whole saying: “I am now starting to realise how far I have come since stepping on a boat for the first time in April last year. I have gone from a non-sailor to Watch Leader, running a watch of 8 people and guiding them though sailing evolutions, training on the helm and knowing what I am talking about! It's safe to say I have bundles more self-confidence. I am so glad I did it. This has been one of the best decisions I have ever made and has given me more than I ever thought it could.”

The Liverpool 2018 team entry and Start and Finish Partner status marked the tenth anniversary of the city’s game-changing tenure as European Capital of Culture, which has put the city under the international spotlight for another year.

The Liverpool 2018 campaign aims to attract audiences of millions of people, create significant economic impact and push Liverpool to the top of the ‘must-visit’ cities in 2018.

Congratulations on a superb race, Liverpool 2018, and thank you for bringing boundless fun!

Want to re-live the Liverpool 2018 team's Clipper Race experience? Check out the archive of Liverpool 2018 crew blogs.