25 Mar 2024

​Show-stopping Qingdao Prizegiving ceremony

Following a memorable arrival ceremony to welcome each of the eleven Clipper Race teams to Qingdao, the prestigious celebrations continued with the Race 9: Sailing City – Qingdao Cup Prizegiving Ceremony. After opening with a traditional dance ceremony, Dr Wang Dongxiang, Deputy Secretary General of Qingdao Municipal People’s Government, officially opened the event with a welcome speech. Laura Ayres, Managing…

24 Mar 2024

The fleet is complete in Qingdao!

After a demanding ten-day race through the bustling shipping channels and fishing fleets of the China Sea, and covering over 1,350 nautical miles, all eleven teams have triumphantly reached Qingdao,…

22 Mar 2024

First win for Our Isles and Oceans on race into Qingdao

The Our Isles and Oceans team has achieved its best result of the circumnavigation, proudly sailing into Qingdao in first place after a gruelling race from Zhuhai. The team, led…

12 Mar 2024

Goodbye Zhuhai!

As the fleet departs Zhuhai, the lively departure ceremony saw the marina walls lined with hundreds of spectators, including Jiuzhou Zhuhai officials, Race Crew supporters and newly recruited Clipper Race…

11 Mar 2024

​Race Conditions and Skipper thoughts- Race 9: Sailing City – Qingdao Cup

The Zhuhai stopover has drawn to a close, with teams spending time exploring the city and surrounds, and preparing for some tough races ahead. With final briefings now complete, the focus is now fully geared to Race 9: Sailing City – Qingdao Cup. This 9-day race will cover around 1,340 nautical miles and will be one of the more challenging…

16 Mar 2021

One Year On - Race 9: The WTC Logistics Tri-Race

Race 9: The WTC Logistics Tri-Race marked the start of Leg 6 in the Clipper 2019-20 Race. With many new faces joining the eleven race teams, the 750nm triangular sprint…

15 Mar 2020

Race 9: The WTC Logistics Tri-Race concludes

After the top three positions on the podium for Race 9 were taken by Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam , Punta del Este and Visit Sanya, China respectively, the remaining teams completed the short offshore course to conclude the WTC Logistics Tri-Race. Seattle attained fourth position, crossing the finish gate at 21:36:28 UTC approximately 50 minutes after third-placed Visit Sanya,…

14 Mar 2020

Race 9 Day 4: The end is in sight

Race 9: The WTC Logistics Tri-Race has been a short but fast challenge for the Clipper Race teams and the racing fleet has remained incredibly close throughout. As the fleet…

12 Mar 2020

Race 9, Day 2: Feel the Heel

On the second day of Race 9: The WTC Logistics Tri-Race, it is all to play for as less than 25 nautical miles (nm) separates the entire fleet. Having already…

11 Mar 2020

​Race 9 Day 1: And they’re off!

Race 9: The WTC Logistics Tri-Race commenced yesterday following the first Clipper Race Le Mans start to be initiated in the dark at 1900 LT. The teams embarked on the…

10 Mar 2020

Skipper Thoughts on Le Mans Race Start

WTC Logistics Skipper, Rich Gould led the Le Mans start for Race 9: The WTC Logistics Tri-Race. Here are his thoughts. We are off! After a bit of delayed start,…

10 Mar 2020

Race 9: The WTC Logistics Tri-Race gets Underway

The fleet departed for the Leg 6 of the Clipper 2019-20 Round the World Yacht Race today from Subic Bay, Philippines. Race 9, the first of two races to make…

9 Mar 2020

Race 9 Preview: Race 9: The WTC Logistics Tri-Race

Following rest, relaxation and regular maintenance to the crew’s 70-foot homes, the fleet is preparing to depart Subic Bay for Race 9: The WTC Logistics Tri-Race, complete with new crew…

29 Jun 2018

The Mighty Pacific Ocean – Episode 5 of Race of Their Lives

The award-winning Race of Their Lives – the documentary showcasing the incredible achievements of the Clipper 2017-18 Round the World Yacht Race crew – is set to return for the…

23 Apr 2018

​RACE 9 PRIZE GIVING: A TASTE OF SEATTLE’S WATERFRONT

After completing the toughest stage of the Clipper 2017-18 Race so far, which included hurricane strength winds and Phenomenal sea states of over 14m in height, each of the teams…

21 Apr 2018

​Heroes Welcome for Home Team in Seattle

After almost a month at sea, the Visit Seattle team arrived into its home at the Port of Seattle today, Saturday 21 April, to a heroes welcome. Arriving in brilliant…

12 Apr 2018

Race 9 Day 20: Clipper Race Fleet Fends Off Hurricane Force Winds

Very few professional sailors can say they have sailed in hurricane force winds and a phenomenal sea state with waves greater than 14 metres, but at 1800 yesterday this was…

12 Apr 2018

Nominations Open For Race 9 Stormhoek Social Spirit Award

Seattle may still seem very far away for the Clipper Race fleet at the moment as it crosses the mighty Pacific Ocean but Race 9: The Race to the Emerald…

8 Apr 2018

​Race 9 Day 16: Heavy Weather Balancing Act

After the forecasted textbook North Pacific weather delivered some of Race 9’s fastest, most furious and thrilling conditions, with reports of gusts heading well into the 50 knot range overnight,…

5 Apr 2018

Race 9 Day 13: Pacific Delight As Scoring Gate Nears

Speed records for Race 9 tumbled for a second successive day as the Clipper Race fleet made fantastic progress over the last 24 hours in the Race to the Emerald…

4 Apr 2018

Race 9 Day 12: Preparing For The North Pacific Low

The stronger winds and big surfs that the Pacific Ocean is renowned for have finally arrived. The Clipper Race teams recorded some of their best speeds towards Seattle over the…

2 Apr 2018

​Race 9 Day 10: A New Window of Opportunity

The tenth day of the Race to the Emerald City saw the fleet compress yet again in what felt like the third on-the-water race restart for the eleven Skippers and…

1 Apr 2018

Race 9 Day 9: Time For Reflection As Open Ocean Awaits

The Mandatory Gate Haller lies between the Japanese islands of Hachijō and Aogashima and for the Clipper Race fleet it marks the edge of the open Pacific Ocean. As the…

31 Mar 2018

Race 9 Day 8: Blue Skies And Calm After Lumpy Seas

The Clipper Race fleet remains compressed as the teams attempt to position themselves ahead of another ridge of high-pressure. The challenging sea state has eased as the teams choose their…

29 Mar 2018

MARRIOTT HOTELS OF SEATTLE TO HOST CLIPPER RACE

With less than a month to go until the Clipper Race fleet reaches the West Coast of the USA, preparations are well underway to ensure that the stopover in Seattle…

29 Mar 2018

​Race 9, Day 6: Positive Mental Attitude as Teams Round Japan

The positive news today is the wind finally arrived as forecast, allowing boat speeds and progress to pick up, though on the downside it’s still patchy and the weeds are…

27 Mar 2018

Race 9 Day 4: Groundhog Day As Light Winds Continue

Day 4 of Race 9 has been a case of ‘Groundhog Day’ as the light winds that had been a feature of the previous 24 hours continue to frustrate the…

26 Mar 2018

Race 9 Day 3: LIGHT WINDS AND NET NEGOTIATIONS

The forecasted light winds and the busy fishing fleet in the East China Sea continue to frustrate the teams on the third day of racing to Seattle. Culminating in a…

25 Mar 2018

Race 9 Day 2: From Pea Soup Fog to Glorious Sunshine

Things are starting to look up for the Clipper Race fleet on Day 2 of Race 9; glorious sunshine has emerged after a challenging 24 hours for the teams trying…

24 Mar 2018

​Race 9, Day 1: Cat and Mouse Start Amidst Obstacles

Race 9, from Qingdao, China, to Seattle, USA, is officially underway after the thick fog cleared and the wind picked up sufficiently to allow for the delayed Le Mans start…

22 Mar 2018

Race 9 Preview: Race to the Emerald City

There is just one sleep remaining until the Clipper Race teams bid farewell to their Chinese hosts and embark on the ‘Race to the Emerald City’. Known as the big…

17 Apr 2016

IchorCoal accepts eleventh place

Due to light winds currently being experienced by IchorCoal the team has accepted eleventh place so it can motor-sail to make best speed to Seattle, making an ETA between 2000-2100…

16 Apr 2016

Race 9 Day 27: Sleepless to Seattle

The Emerald City beckons for the remaining teams completing the Seattle Pacific Challenge. But with high pressure building over the coast there could be a sleepless night ahead (local time)…

15 Apr 2016

Race 9 Day 26: Five teams still competing in Seattle Pacific Challenge

As the five teams still racing in the Seattle Pacific Challenge tick off the miles to the Emerald City, more moderate weather is allowing them to catch their breath for…

14 Apr 2016

Race 9 Day 25: Pacific still has tricks up her sleeve as race finale plays out

The podium positions for Race 9, The Seattle Pacific Challenge are now confirmed. However this race is far from over for the remaining eight contenders who have plenty left to…

13 Apr 2016

Race 9 Day 24: Pacific Ocean commands respect as teams overcome “horrendous” conditions

Seattle may be drawing ever closer but the Pacific Ocean’s power is unrelenting, making the final miles to the west coast of the USA an incredible final test of seamanship…

12 Apr 2016

Race 9 Day 23: Unicef sets Ocean Sprint time to beat in dramatic day

With four teams having completed the Ocean Sprint, it is Unicef which has recorded the fastest time so far in a day of high winds and strong seas which proved…

12 Apr 2016

Da Nang - Viet Nam retires after storm knockdown

Da Nang – Viet Nam was knocked down when it was hit by a large wave at 2215UTC in 45 knot westerly winds as a secondary low hit the back…

11 Apr 2016

Race 9 Day 22: Winds set to build as Ocean Sprint commences

The frontal weather system currently passing over the fleet has not been as strong as the last, but has provided another day of excellent mileage in the final push to…

10 Apr 2016

Race 9 Day 21: Countdown to Seattle

The latest depression has the most westerly boats in its grip and is moving steadily east this morning in the closing week of the Seattle Pacific Challenge. The Race Office…

9 Apr 2016

RACE 9 DAY 20: FLEET RIDES RAILROAD TO SEATTLE

The Clipper Race fleet is experiencing the ‘North Pacific Railway’ right now, according to race Meteorologist Simon Rowell, with a regular timetable of low/ridge/low coming through. A ridge of high…

8 Apr 2016

Race 9 Day 19: Wet and windy sleigh ride as teams hunt down leader Derry~Londonderry~Doire

Damp and gusty downwind conditions, with up to 50 knot peaks, are continuing to push the teams forward in the race to Seattle. With boat speeds in the high teens,…

7 Apr 2016

Race 9 Day 18: Pressure mounts as teams battle for position

Derry~Londonderry~Doire continues to lead the way in the Seattle Pacific Challenge, with an 87 nautical mile lead over second placed Unicef . However the chasing pack hasn’t given up the…

6 Apr 2016

Race 9 Day 17: Low front propels teams towards Seattle

The big anticipated front expected yesterday failed to materialise, but the next storm is now moving over the Clipper 70 fleet in the Seattle Pacific Challenge. Today’s front should have…

1 Apr 2016

Race 9 Day 12: 50 knot gusts and white-knuckle helming as Pacific promise delivers

The North Pacific leg is always billed as ‘the big one’ and Skippers report this promise really delivered overnight as a short, sharp forecasted weather front came into force with…

28 Mar 2016

Garmin and Derry~ Londonderry~Doire rendez-vous for spares

UPDATE FROM RACE OFFICE: At approximately 1900-2100 UTC Garmin and Derry~Londonderry~Doire will both cease racing to transfer fleet spares in order for Garmin to repair its watermaker. Both teams will…

26 Mar 2016

“You must face challenges for you to grow”

“I think this experience will have a big impact on me and my community when I get back home. I think it will show that you can achieve and stand…

24 Mar 2016

Meet the Crew – Kristof Bostoen

A lover of sailing long distances, crew member Kristof Bostoen is returning to the high seas once more with his team to experience the world’s largest and deepest ocean. Ever…

23 Mar 2016

Aspiring young sailors take on challenging North Pacific

“I am really hoping to learn as much as I can about ocean racing and see if I could get into it as a professional career,” says Heather Thomas, 19,…

22 Mar 2016

Sailing to Seattle: Meet Yuko Kikuchi

Seattle resident Yuko Kikuchi says she cannot wait to see the familiar sight of downtown coming into Bell Harbor as she sets off on the Seattle Pacific Challenge race from…

21 Mar 2016

Race 9 Day 1: Light winds on day 1 of the Seattle Pacific Challenge Race

Following the Le Mans start from Qingdao in light winds and sun at 0100 UTC, 0900 local time today, the Clipper Race fleet is now headed in a south easterly…

21 Mar 2016

Seattle Pacific Challenge Begins

At 0100 UTC today, the Clipper Race fleet began the ninth of 14 races as it heads across the Pacific Ocean to Seattle, USA from Qingdao, China. The Seattle Pacific…

20 Mar 2016

Crew departs Qingdao for notorious Seattle Pacific Challenge race

The Clipper Race crew, or ‘courageous ocean warriors’ as they are known here in China, have departed the Sailing City of Qingdao to begin their longest, most remote leg of…

19 Mar 2016

Race 9 Preview: The Seattle Pacific Challenge

Renowned by many as one of the toughest features of the circumnavigation, the fleet departs Qingdao for The Seattle Pacific Challenge from China to Seattle, USA, on Sunday. So what…

17 Mar 2016

Crew taste victory in international football match

Clipper Race Crew 2 - 1 Qingdao Media Team In a hotly contested battle at the Tian Tin Stadium in Qingdao, the Clipper Race crew took on the Qingdao media…

16 Mar 2016

Chinese community embraces crew

Having been entertained by youngsters yesterday during a school visit, today it was the turn of the ‘young at heart’ to share elements of Chinese culture with the Clipper Race…

16 Mar 2016

Meet the Crew: Cheryl Campbell

Today, crew members taking part in the race across the mighty Pacific to Seattle, USA will join their teams to prepare for one of the toughest races of the series.…

15 Mar 2016

Crew gets lessons in Chinese culture

Kung Fu fighting, Chinese calligraphy and origami messages in a bottle were order of the day for the Clipper Race crew and Skippers who were invited to a local primary…

12 Mar 2024

​Race 9: Sailing City-Qingdao Cup gets underway

After a jam-packed stopover in Zhuhai, it’s back to boat life as the fleet focuses on the next race in the circumnavigation. Race 9: Sailing City – Qingdao Cup is…

15 Mar 2020

Meet the crew - Jade Hughes

Meet the Clipper 2019-20 Race Crew Name : Jade Hughes Age : 29 Occupation : Satellite Communications Nationality : British Hometown : London via Liverpool Leg: 5 and 6 Team…

14 Mar 2020

Race 9 - Course Amendment

From Mark Light, Clipper Race Director: The Clipper Race Office constantly monitors the fleet’s progress and current and forecast weather conditions. As a result of forecasted light wind in Subic…