​Race 1: Close Finish For Clipper Race Opening Stage

A spectacularly close finish to the longest ever leg of the Clipper Race from Liverpool, UK, to Punta del Este, Uruguay, saw nine of the twelve Clipper Race teams complete the 6,400 nautical mile race within almost 22 hours.

After 33 days racing, Sanya Serenity Coast, PSP Logistics, GREAT Britain, Qingdao, Dare To Lead, HotelPlanner.com, Garmin, Liverpool 2018 and Unicef arrived in very close succession between 16:46 UTC on Thursday 21 September and 13:55UTC on Friday 22 September with Visit Seattle arriving at 00:57UTC on Saturday 23^rd September.

Greenings crossed the finish line at 18:03UTC on Saturday 23 September, claiming first place overall after the 58 hr 44 min 51 sec redress was applied for the diversion to Porto, Portugal, following the medevac of Skipper David Hartshorn. Twelfth placed Nasdaq completed the Leg 1 arrivals, on Monday morning crossing the line at 07:39 UTC.

Greenings Interim Skipper and Deputy Race Director, Dan Smith, with Skipper of Sanya Serenity Coast, Wendy Tuck.

Welcoming teams throughout the day and night was Juan Etcheverrito, Commodore of Yacht Club Punta del Este and Mayor of Maldonado, Enrique Antia.

Speaking during a press conference held at Yacht Club Punta del Este, to mark the fleet’s arrival, the Commodore said: “We feel incredibly proud to be hosting the Clipper Race for the first time, and we hope very much that you enjoy your experience here so much that you want to return in the future.”

Leg 1, the Atlantic Trade Winds Leg, was the first of thirteen races that makes up the Clipper Race. It was a race of many twists which made for intense competitiveness on the water and nail biting viewing from home.

The Clipper Race fleet alongside in Punta del Este, Uruguay.

With all twelve teams now safely alongside in Punta del Este, with Nasdaq completing the arrivals, the Mayor officially opened the stopover experience by inviting Clipper Race crew, supporters and Skippers to an Assado, a typical Uruguayan BBQ, with a live Tango singer and orchestra, in the beautiful setting of the Foundation Pablo Atchugarry sculpture park.

The first prizegiving of the Clipper 2017-18 Race will take place on Tuesday 26 September. In addition to teams in podium positions receiving race pennants, the Stormhoek Social Spirit Award winner will be also be announced.

View the official Race Leaderboard, with Race 1 bonus points and GREAT Britain’s Joker Card applied.