Update regarding coronavirus outbreak in China

This section will be updated when further information is available

10/02/20 - 16:00

Members of the Clipper Race team are on route to meet the fleet ahead of its arrival in the Philippines. The Clipper Race yachts are expected to start arriving in Subic Bay from Wednesday 12 February. Here the fleet will be berthed in Subic Bay Yacht Club for an extended stopover, due to the decision to amend the race schedule and delay its arrival into China.

The coronavirus outbreak continues to be a developing situation. The Clipper Race is continuing to work with the Chinese organising committees in order to secure the safety of its crew, staff and supporters whilst also, taking into account the changing British and international government advice, progress contingency plans for the 2019-20 route.

Due to the logistical, timing and operational demands, the Clipper Race organising team is looking at a number of alternative ports and aims to have a decision on any further route amendments by next week at the latest. The arrival window into Seattle remains the same as the original schedule and Leg 7 and Leg 8 timings remain unaffected.

The Crew Changeover date for Leg 6 joiners is 6 March. Leg 6 joiners are recommended to postpone making new travel arrangements and when they do to book marine fare tickets as these can be easily changed.

The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office and World Health Organisation are providing regular updates on the coronavirus outbreak, more information can be found on their respective websites.

The Clipper Race organising team appreciates Race Crew and supporters need for more details but until plans are firmly in place, providing any information that could change might lead to further disruption. This is a complex and evolving situation but the team hopes to have a suitable and safe solution as swiftly as possible.

05/02/20 - 16:15

The Clipper Race team has been working on contingency plans should the fleet not be able to stop in China due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The Crew Changeover date for Leg 6 joiners will now be 6 March. The changeover will take place in either Zhuhai as planned or a port outside of China, should the need arise. This alternative location will be confirmed in due course.

The arrival window into Seattle remains the same as the original schedule and Leg 7 and Leg 8 timings remain unaffected.

Further updates will be posted on this website, when more information becomes available.

03/02/20 - 13:00

Message from Clipper Race Organising team:

In view of the coronavirus outbreak, the Clipper Race, in consultation with the organising committees in both Sanya and Zhuhai, has amended its race schedule and delayed its arrival into China.

The fleet, currently racing from Australia, will now head to Subic Bay, Philippines, which was previously planned as the second of the three ports in Leg 5.

The estimated arrival window into Subic Bay is 13-16 February. There will now be an extended stopover in this port of a minimum of nine days.

The Clipper Race will continue to work with its Chinese organising committees and has contingency plans prepared should the race route need to be further amended.

31/01/20 - 14:45

Message from Clipper Race Organising team:

“We are continuing to work with the Chinese authorities with regards to our upcoming stopovers. The Clipper Race Office is working on several alternative schedules for Leg 5 and Leg 6 as both involve travel into and out of China.

“We expect to have a clearer view of the race schedule next week, with the current arrival window being two weeks away.

“Further updates will be posted on our website, when more information becomes available.”

29/01/20 - 11:30

Message from Clipper Race Organising team:

“The updates regarding the coronavirus are constantly evolving. We will continue to monitor the situation regarding travel into China and we are currently reviewing the race schedule should it prove necessary for it to be amended.

“Further updates will be available as soon as we have more information to share.”

27/01/20

Message from Clipper Race Organising team:

“We are closely monitoring the coronavirus outbreak in China.

“On instruction from government officials, the Sanya organising committee has informed the Clipper Race that all activities planned for the stopover in its city have been cancelled and it is currently planned that there will be a simple arrival and departure for the fleet. We understand that this decision has not been taken lightly as Sanya was a fantastic host during the 2017-18 edition.

“At present, the fleet is continuing its race towards Sanya. We are continuing to talk with the Chinese authorities and sympathise that this is an issue which is continually developing. We will advise as soon as we have any further official information.”