​The fleet completes Race 2: The Commodore’s Cup

All eleven yachts have now completed the 5,195 nautical mile race from Portimão, Portugal to Punta del Este, Uruguay, which will be home to the yachts and the crew for the next eight days.

GoToBermuda arrived into the South American sailing hub, crossing the finishing line of Race 2: The Commodore’s Cup at 04:51:51 UTC in tenth followed by Imagine your Korea crossing at 06:15:32 UTC in eleventh, to complete arrivals.

IMAGE: GoToBermuda arrives into Punta del Este

During Race 2: The Commodore’s Cup, GoToBermuda has enjoyed some close racing and Skipper David ‘Wavy’ Immelman is pleased with the progress of his crew: “It’s so great to see the crew develop and become better not just in sailing ability but in confidence and personal growth.”

Imagine your Korea is a new Team Partner for the Clipper 19-20 Race and is flying the flag for sailing opportunities in Korea. Whilst at times the lack of wind has been frustrating, particularly the lull of the Doldrums, the team have pushed forward and enjoyed some amazing sailing conditions.

Imagine your Korea’s Skipper Mike Surridge said: “First of all it is a really long race, for sure! There has been lots of highlights from our Equator party, which was great fun, to the scent of arriving along the South American coast, then from big winds to no winds, everything you can imagine.”

IMAGE: Imagine your Korea arrive into Punta del Este

He added: “The team spirit has been great, the team has sailed really, really well.”

The race has been a tough one, with vastly contrasting conditions making for an experience for the crews will remember. With around 40 percent of Race Crew having never sailed before completing the Clipper Race training programme, their newly acquired skills were put to the test in strong winds left in the wake of fierce tropical storms. In contrast, the teams have enjoyed idyllic sailing conditions, spotted the wildlife they will have dreamt of and crossed the Equator in their own unique way.

IMAGE: Equator crossing ceremony on Imagine your Korea

The final couple of days at sea have rounded off a remarkably varied race, with squalls and resulting windholes as they tried to push forward to the finish line.

Every team has received a warm welcome from Yacht Club Punta del Este and they will enjoy a programme of events, set to show the culture, traditions and delicacies of the region.

Whilst the fleet is situated in Punta del Este, the public are invited to take a tour of a Clipper 70 stripped out ocean racing yacht above and below decks. Bring your family and friends and imagine life at a 40º angle. Not for the faint-hearted, meet the courageous Race Crew taking on the challenge. The Clipper 70 fleet is the largest matched fleet of ocean racing yachts in the world. There is also the opportunity to speak to the team and register interest in being a future Clipper Race Crew member.