Punta del Este Awaits

A fantastic Uruguayan welcome awaits the Clipper Race when teams arrive in the South American Host Port, Punta del Este, for the first ever time.

During the peak tourist season, Punta del Este, often dubbed the ‘St Tropez of South America’, is bustling with glitz and glamour but the quieter season offers the perfect opportunity to take in the area and its stunning natural beauty.

Supporters and visitors will be waiting to welcome the crew as they arrive into port following their gruelling 6,400 nautical mile Race 1, with welcome drinks awaiting in the Yacht Club’s Sailors Bar.

No matter what positions the teams finish in, the traditional Clipper Race Prize Giving night on Tuesday 26 September will provide a chance for crew and their supporters to get together to celebrate crossing their first ocean and the incredible milestone of completing the race’s longest ever opening leg. Throw in a Tango show and some local cuisine, and the South American spirit will soon take over.

Yacht Club Punta del Este will also introduce Clipper Race crew to traditional Uruguayan culture by hosting a Uruguayan Wine Tasting Evening and holding a special Clipper Race Crew Asado ahead of Leg 2, The South Atlantic Challenge to Cape Town.

Commodore of Yacht Club Punta del Este, Cr. Juan Echeverrito says: “We are very much looking forward to welcoming the Clipper Race fleet and its crew to Punta del Este in Uruguay. There is a lot of excitement and anticipation building with the arrival for the Clipper Race, and we are very excited to share our culture and beautiful country with supporters, crews and visitors to Punta del Este.”

If looking for a day trip, a booking desk will be set up in the Clipper Race office and each team will have a local volunteer designated to them who can recommend and help book day trip and excursion options. These include a Punta del Este City Tour covering; views of Gorriti Island, Punta del Este Port, the Lighthouse, views of Lobos Island, the Hand Sculpture, Rambla Brava, Club de Tennis el Medano, Leonel Viera Bridge [Wavy Bridge], numerous beautiful local beaches to explore and winery visits.

Punta del Este residents and visitors intrigued by the fleet’s arrival will have a full programme of public events [LINK] available throughout the stopover, ranging from Open Boat tours to Recruitment Talks which will give them the chance to understand this unique global adventure.

On Wednesday 4 October, it is time for visitors to join the crew and their friends and family as Punta del Este bids a fond farewell to the teams as they head off on the second chapter of their remarkable race around the planet; The South Atlantic Challenge to Cape Town.

Fancy coming to Punta del Este to cheer in the Clipper Race fleet and experience the warm Uruguayan welcome? Make sure you check out the Clipper Race HotelPlanner.com booking system.

Think you have what it takes? Spaces for The Asia Pacific Leg 5 and Mighty Pacific Leg 6 of the Clipper 2017-18 Race are still available but are going fast, while applications are also now open for the 2019-20 edition of the race. If you think you have what it takes to race across the world’s oceans, you can apply via the Clipper Race website.