Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race to form part of 2015-16 race

We are very pleased to confirm that the 2015-16 race will include Australian offshore classic the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race (RSHYR) following a successful debut last year.

The intention to enter the Clipper 70 fleet in the 71^st edition has just been confirmed by the race organisers with the RSHYR.

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston says: “We are very excited to include the Sydney Hobart as part of our Australian leg in the 2015-16 Clipper Race series and look forward to submitting our entries when the Notice of Race for the 71^st edition is released next year.”

Last year our race crew attracted widespread intrigue and respect when we made the decision to debut the fleet in the iconic race. The chance to compete against some of the world’s top sailors in the RSHYR was the highlight for many Clipper Race crew as part of their global ocean odyssey.

Jean Brandon, a round the world crew member on board Jamaica Get All Right said of her RSHYR experience: “Leaving Sydney with the backdrop of the famous Opera House and the Harbour Bridge surrounded by 93 other yachts was a site to behold.

“The run up to race start was probably one of the biggest highlights of this whole adventure. Exciting beyond words is all I can say. Trying to capture the images and the thrill on camera does not do it justice, you just had to be there.”

The City of Albany has also confirmed that it will host the Clipper Race for a second time when the fleet reaches Western Australia in late November 2015.

International crew will sail into the Albany Waterfront Marina after enduring the gruelling Southern Ocean stage from South Africa.

The three-race Australian coast-to-coast Leg 4 sees constantly changing conditions from brutal to mild and big surf. Crew will be pushed mentally and physically in one of the most inhospitable parts of the planet. This leg includes three crossings of the infamous Bass Strait and demands the very best from all crew.

Sir Robin added: “This coast-to-coast leg is very popular with Australians with a three-race series which includes the Sydney to Hobart classic. No experience necessary, as we provide all the training!”

The majority of pre-race training can be carried out at the new Clipper Race Australia base in Sydney, which also has a boat entered in this year’s 70^th RSHYR.

The highly challenging Leg 4 will start in Albany at the beginning of December 2015. It will finish in an eastern Australia port in January 2016 – TBC following a race from Hobart after the 628-mile RSHYR.

The 2015-16 edition of the Clipper Race is already 80% full but there are still places available to join on most Legs, including Leg 4 which now includes the 71^st RSHYR.

Click here to sign up online or contact the Clipper Race UK base: +44 (0) 2392 526000 / Clipper Race Australia base: +61 (0) 29363 2020.