Australian sailor Wendy Tuck, 53, has made history by being the first woman ever to win the Clipper Round The World Yacht Race.  Wendy and her crew mates crossed the finishing line in Liverpool aboard their Sanya Serenity Coast yacht.

Thousands of people flocked to the banks of the River Mersey to watch the Race Final Sprint.
After an 18 nautical mile duel, it was Garmin, PSP Logistics and home team Liverpool 2018 that picked up the final bonus race points in front of Royal Albert Dock Liverpool.

Despite the sprint positions, Sanya Serenity Coast managed to hold the overall lead. Second place overall went to another female skipper, British Nikki Henderson, 25, and the crew of her Visit Seattle.

Sanya Serenity Coast Skipper Wendy, from Sydney, said: “I can’t believe it. It hasn’t really sunk in really but I am just so happy. It is so, so special.

“I don’t think it’s about being a woman. It’s just do what I do. But I am very proud and even prouder of my team. They are the ones that did all the work and considering many had never sailed before, what they have accomplished is incredible.”

Visit Seattle Skipper Nikki Henderson said: “Congratulations to Wendy and her team – you were just too quick for us!

“We didn’t get the win but I am so proud of how my team dug deep and kept fighting right until the end. No matter how hard it got, they turned up on deck ready to work and deserve every bit of this success in coming second.”

Home team Liverpool 2018, who’d has been flying the flag for the city as it raced around the globe, returned to its home port to a hero’s welcome after double podium success in Race 13, where it finished second, and the Sprint Finish, where it took third place.

Liverpool 2018 skipper Lance Shepherd said: “It has just been an incredible journey, I am so honoured to have been skipper of the Liverpool 2018 team and I am so proud of the team for everything they have achieved.”

The arrival of the Clipper Race Fleet into Liverpool was followed by a public prize giving hosted by radio presenter Leanne Campbell on the steps of the Museum of Liverpool.

The Liverpool 2018 yacht will remain in Royal Albert Dock Liverpool until Sunday 05 August and will be open to the public for free tours daily from 10:00 to 18:00.

In total, 712 people representing 41 different nationalities and from all walks of life have taken part in the 40,000 nautical mile Clipper 2017-18 Race, the event’s eleventh edition.

FINAL OVERALL CLIPPER 2017-18 RACE POSITIONS

1. Sanya Serenity Coast – 143 points
2. Visit Seattle – 139 points
3. Qingdao – 135 points
4. Garmin  – 125 points
5. PSP Logistics – 121 points
6. UNICEF – 108 points
7. Dare To Lead – 106 points
8. Great Britain – 90 points
9. Liverpool 2018 – 79 points
10. HotelPlanner.com – 69 points
11. NASDAQ – 61 points

Youngest ever Clipper Round the World Yacht Race skipper wins New York to Derry-Londonderry race

Nikki Henderson led her Visit Seattle crew to victory in the penultimate leg of the race

MAIB: ‘Insufficent planning’ resulted in Clipper yacht Greenings grounding

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) says lessons learnt from previous incidents could have prevented CV24 running aground in South…

The post Clipper Round the World Yacht Race: First woman wins the race appeared first on YBW.

Nikki Henderson, 24, from Surrey, UK, and her Visit Seattle team claimed victory in Race 12 to Derry-Londonderry, the penultimate race of the 40,000 nautical mile Clipper 2017-18 Round the World Yacht Race.

Visit Seattle crossed the finish line in an area north east of the entrance to Lough Foyle at 00:21:57 UTC on Monday 9 July to complete the 3,000 nautical mile race across the Atlantic Ocean, the fast-paced sixth and final ocean crossing of the eleven-month circumnavigation, in just over 12 days.

Henderson’s victory in the New York to Derry-Londonderry could spark an interesting competition for the overall Clipper Race Trophy against Sanya Serenity Coast Australian skipper, Wendy Tuck, 53, with the pair now vying to be the first female winner in the 22-year history of the Clipper Race.

Nikki said: “I am so proud of how hard my team worked to get this win. The crew never let up over the past two weeks and really deserve this result.

“We will certainly be celebrating the result in Derry-Londonderry but we all know the job isn’t done yet. The leaderboard is very close so the final race to Liverpool will be very exciting.”

Continues below…

Clipper Round The World Yacht Race: Greenings out of the race after running aground near Cape Town

Clipper Round The World Race has announced that yacht Greenings will withdraw from the race after it ran aground halfway…

Clipper Round the World Race: Greenings skipper David Hartshorn ‘in good spirits’ after successful operation

Greenings skipper David Hartshorn's suffered a serious injury when his thumb was caught in one of the lines. He received…

Watch: And they’re off! Clipper Round the World Yacht Race leaves from Liverpool

The biggest ever edition of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race got underway yesterday (20 August) on the River…

In total, 711 people representing 42 different nationalities and from all walks of life are taking part in the Clipper 2017-18 Race. In Leg 8, the Visit Seattle crew represent six different nationalities – Netherlands, UK, France, Germany, USA, Canada – with the ages ranging from 26 to 66.

Derry-Londonderry is a much-anticipated stopover on the global Clipper Race circuit, with each of the 232 crew given a starring role in the award-winning Foyle Maritime Festival. Over the next fortnight, locals and visitors to Derry-Londonderry will be able to get up close to the 70-foot ocean racing yachts and attend a large number of events in celebration of the Clipper Race crew.

The Foyle Maritime Festival will come to an end when the Clipper Race fleet departs for the final race, to Liverpool, on Sunday 22 July. The circumnavigation will come to an end at the Royal Albert Dock in Liverpool on July 28.

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‘Insufficient planning’ was behind the grounding of the Clipper Race CV24 yacht, Greenings, according to the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB).

The vessel ran aground off South Africa on 31 October 2017 during Leg 3 of the round the world race. No one was injured, and the amateur crew were later transferred to other Clipper boats to complete the race.

‘No crew member had been assigned to the navigation station, depth information was not being displayed at the helm and there were no safe cross track distances or safety depths plotted on paper or electronic charts,’ stressed the MAIB in its report into the incident, which was published today.

Clipper Founder and Chairman, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston said it was committed ‘to maintaining the highest possible safety standard across its training and racing.’

He also called for an urgently needed review ‘of regulation and the speed of reporting key learnings’, adding that the lessons for the industry at large were ‘significant’ and it was ‘unreasonable’ to expect individual companies, like Clipper, to ‘path-find on safety without the support and encouragement from the relevant authorities.’

None of the CV24 crew were injured. Credit: Clipper Round the World

The MAIB findings are that at the time of the grounding of CV24, the skipper, the only professional sailor aboard, was responsible for navigation.

Changes in wind speed and direction and an inability to maintain course in 20-25knt north-northwesterly winds led him to order a gybe, which he supervised.

This distraction, said the MAIB, along with no depth information being displayed at the helm and the hazy, dark conditions meant no one foresaw the grounding risk.

The Clipper Race instructions’ advisory warning for all yachts was to remain at least 10 miles offshore at night. It has since introduced compulsory mandatory exclusion zones around all navigational hazards, and no Clipper vessel can roam into less than 20m.

Seven of the 11 other race yachts followed courses similar to CV24’s towards the shore and CV31 almost certainly also grounded, although managed to gybe to alter course.

CV4 after grounding on a reef in Java in 2010

The MAIB also highlighted the lack of an experienced navigator aboard CV24. Provision of this role had been recommended to Clipper in 2010 by the Maritime Claims and Services Ltd, which investigated the grounding of the Clipper yacht CV4 on a reef in Java.

The absence of a second professional sailor, which was recommended to Clipper in 2017 by the MAIB after the deaths of Andrew Ashman and Sarah Young during 2015-16 race, was also raised. ‘With only one professional, employed seafarer on board, the Clipper yachts were not safely manned for the round the world race,’ stated the MAIB in its CV24 grounding report.

Despite the 2017 recommendations, Clipper introduced its Clipper coxswains, who underwent a Maritime and Coastguard Agency-approved training course. It felt they would be able to raise concerns rather than a company employed qualified mate.

The designated Clipper coxswain was off watch at the time of CV24’s grounding.

CV24 was coded Category 0 when undertaking the round the world race, which usually carries a requirement to have a  minimum of two crew both holding a commercially endorsed RYA Yachtmaster qualification. There was also a requirement to ensure that there was at all times, a person with adequate experience in charge of the navigational watch.

Clipper, said the MAIB, had negotiated a bespoke agreement with the MCA, allowing this second professional on board to be a Clipper coxswain when a second qualified Yachtmaster was not available.

Continues below…

Clipper Round The World Yacht Race: Greenings salvage operation nearing completion

Less than a month since Greenings ran aground on the opening day of Race 3, the salvage operation to remove…

Clipper Round The World Yacht Race: Greenings out of the race after running aground near Cape Town

Clipper Round The World Race has announced that yacht Greenings will withdraw from the race after it ran aground halfway…

Clipper Round the World Race: Greenings skipper David Hartshorn ‘in good spirits’ after successful operation

Greenings skipper David Hartshorn's suffered a serious injury when his thumb was caught in one of the lines. He received…

After the CV24 incident, the MCA revoked the agreement and Clipper Race immediately introduced additionally qualified mates on board, in addition to the coxswain crew.

It also created an internal Safety Audit Department, led by the Chief Operating Officer and introduced procedure so all passage plans are checked by company staff before each leg.

Investigators also recommended to Clipper that it takes ‘urgent action designed to improve the ability of its skippers and watch leaders to maintain positional awareness while on deck in pilotage and coastal waters’.

Considerations included: the provision of a navigation/chart display on deck by the helm position; more effective use of onboard navigational equipment to avoid danger, including a means for rapid communication between the navigation station and the helm and more clearly defining the duties of the watch navigator.

CV4, Cork before it grounded in 2010

In addition to the grounding and loss of CV4 and CV24, the MAIB holds records of 17 other groundings of Clipper yachts in the 5 years prior to this accident, and one since.

The MAIB report into the CV24 incident also revealed that the skipper failed to make a  “Mayday” or “Pan Pan” distress call until 50 minutes after running aground. The race director was informed of the incident 23 minutes after it happened.

The Clipper Round the World Race was established in 1996. Since then, there have been 11 editions, with a total of 97 yacht circumnavigations (a cumulative excess of 4 million nautical miles),  over 5000 crew undergoing extensive training, plus the successful running of three Velux 5 Ocean Races.

Commenting, Chairman and founder of Clipper, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, said: ‘This incident brings up vital learnings for all yachtsmen. As part of our investigations, we were most concerned that a number of yachts were ignoring the race instructions’ advisory warning to remain at least 10 miles offshore at night. As a result of this incident we immediately implemented mandatory exclusion zones around navigational hazards,’ he explained.

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston

‘We also implemented new guidelines to Skippers and our Race Officials are now monitoring the quality of all passage plans going forward. We are confident that these two initiatives will significantly reduce the risk of such an incident occurring in the future.’

‘Clipper Ventures runs a safety management system which exceeds all regulatory requirements and recommendations. As a result, we have been at the forefront of implementing safety initiatives to ocean racing such as AIS beacons on Dan buoys and in Lifejackets, a system now being introduced by World Sailing, double tethers on harnesses, sea survival training for all crew, ISAF survival training, and swimmer assisted MOB recovery using dummies,’ continued the Clipper founder.

‘Nevertheless, we are always looking for ways to improve and continue to review our systems to make sure they remain at the forefront of best practice. The lessons for our industry at large are significant and a review of regulation, and the speed of reporting of key learnings, is urgently required. It is unreasonable to expect individual companies such as Clipper Ventures to path-find on safety without the support and encouragement from the relevant authorities,’ concluded Sir Robin.

Report by Katy Stickland at Yachting Monthly

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November 30

Efforts to remove the Greenings yacht from the Cape Peninsula are nearing completion.

At the time of the incident on 31 October 2017, and after all crew were quickly and safely evacuated from the yacht with no injuries reported, Navalmartin, the Casualty Management Service provider of the Clipper Race’s insurers, promptly dispatched local Admiralty Expert and Surveyor, Peter Brinkley from Cape Town and instructed a salvage team to assess the situation and attempt the salvage of the yacht in the first crucial hours.

Pollution control was one of the main concerns for the team, which took immediate action to minimise any risk and remove fuel from on board whilst attempting to overcome the ingress of sand within the hull.

Following careful coordinated analysis and reviewing the state of Greenings over the following 48 hours, it was decided that the yacht would take no further action in the Clipper 2017-18 Race, and subsequently that it was beyond repair and would be assigned to be removed by appointed salvors.

The Subtech Group/Ardent who specialises in the provision of marine services, was employed to remove the stricken yacht, working with the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA), the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) and the casualty management team to oversee the cleanup operation and wreck removal.

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston explained: “Once the assessment had been made that the vessel was not repairable, our aim was very clear, we needed to deal with the situation quickly with the priority of minimising environmental impact and returning the beach to its original state. That was vitally important.”

Continues below…

Clipper Round The World Yacht Race: Greenings out of the race after running aground near Cape Town

Clipper Round The World Race has announced that yacht Greenings will withdraw from the race after it ran aground halfway…

Clipper Round the World Race: Greenings skipper David Hartshorn ‘in good spirits’ after successful operation

Greenings skipper David Hartshorn's suffered a serious injury when his thumb was caught in one of the lines. He received…

Watch: And they’re off! Clipper Round the World Yacht Race leaves from Liverpool

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Explaining the initial priority, Peter Brinkley, Chief Engineer attending on behalf of Navalmartin, the Clipper Race and its insurers, says: “The first task was to remove all the diesel fuel from the tanks. This was done quickly and no spillages occurred.

“We faced a number of early challenges to the removal which included obtaining access to the beach as it is in a very remote location, and also a bush fire started in the surrounding veld part way through the operation which delayed efforts for a few days.

“It was a priority to work quickly, the varying weather conditions only gave us small windows of time to carry out the task at hand. Time was working against us: We had to deal with the incessant influx of sand at high water brought in by the breaking waves and exacerbated by bad weather. We have to deal with the added challenge that no vehicles would be allowed though the reserve to access or move the yacht.

“Only the keel and some of the bottom and port side shell remain, and they are buried in the sand, however we expect these final parts to be removed in the coming days and the beach will then be restored.”

 “Much of the hull and deck gear has already been air-lifted away from the site.”

Speaking about the loss of CV24, Sir Robin says: “She had completed two round the world voyages, one of which she was the winner, as LMAX Exchange, and had an unbeaten streak in the 2017-18 race.

“Many of our crew called her home and will have some long-lasting memories of their time on board. She was also an important member of the Clipper Race team and of course it’s always just desperately sad to see a fine vessel finish its story like this.”

 A full MAIB / MCA investigation is currently underway into the reasons for the grounding and the Clipper Race shall publish the findings as and when they are available.

November 13

Skippers of racing boats in the Clipper Round The World Race have welcomed crewmembers of Greenings to join their teams and carry on competing in the race.

Race organisers announced on 1 November that the yacht was withdrawing from the race after it ran aground halfway between Cape Town and Cape Point.

Each of the 11 remaining skippers and their crews, have offered to welcome former Greenings crew members on board their boats to compete as part of their respective teams for the remaining legs of the series.

Andy Burns, GREAT Britain skipper, said: “Any of the team looking for a boat to continue the race on will be welcomed with open arms by none other than GREAT Britain. Because that’s what we do best.”

Continues below…

Clipper Round The World Yacht Race: Greenings out of the race after running aground near Cape Town

Clipper Round The World Race has announced that yacht Greenings will withdraw from the race after it ran aground halfway…

Clipper Round the World Race: Greenings skipper David Hartshorn ‘in good spirits’ after successful operation

Greenings skipper David Hartshorn's suffered a serious injury when his thumb was caught in one of the lines. He received…

Watch: And they’re off! Clipper Round the World Yacht Race leaves from Liverpool

The biggest ever edition of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race got underway yesterday (20 August) on the River…

Six Greenings crew members were able to continue Race 3: Dell Latitude Rugged Race on board HotelPlanner.com. Others Greenings crew members are to be allocated to the other 11 boats, and will be competing in future legs, across the fleet so that they can continue their Clipper Race journey.

Race Director, Mark Light, said: “It’s been fantastic to see such a positive story emerge from what has been a very unfortunate incident.

“It’s been important for us to get the Greenings crew back on the water to compete in the Clipper Race and we have been speaking to crew members who are due to complete future legs to find out what their preferences are for continuing.

“I’d like to thank everybody for their patience whilst this process has taken place and I am delighted to confirm we have been able to find space for everybody wishing to continue with the race.”

Managing Director of Greenings, Andrew Greening, said: “Despite the yacht (CV24) taking no further part in the Clipper 2017-18 Race, I’m pleased to see that the Greenings team ethos will live on throughout the fleet and we will continue to support our crew members who have been reallocated to other teams. I’ve always said that there is something special about this team and whilst they may be continuing their respective journeys on board different yachts, I’m sure that they will continue to maintain that close bond that they have already forged and I look forward to seeing them at future stopovers.”

The post Clipper Round The World Yacht Race: Greenings salvage operation nearing completion appeared first on YBW.

Simon Speirs, a crew member on board CV30, GREAT Britain passed away after being washed overboard.

Simon, 60, from Bristol, was on the foredeck assisting with a headsail change from Yankee 3 when the accident happened.

Clipper Ventured said in a statement that Speirs was clipped on with his safety tether, but he became separated from the yacht in the Southern Ocean at approximately 0814UTC (1414 local time) in rough seas, in 20 knots of wind, gusting 40.

The team assisted immediately with man overboard recovery and despite the rough conditions, Simon was recovered back on board by Andy Burns, the skipper, and crew within 36 minutes. CPR was immediately administered by three medically trained crew, which included a GP.

However Speirs never regained consciousness and was pronounced dead at 0925UTC. The cause of death is unconfirmed at this time but thought to be by drowning.

All other crew are reported safe and are being supported remotely by the Race Office.

The incident occurred on Day 18 in Race 3 of the 13 stage Clipper Race. The fleet was racing from South Africa, Australia. The yacht, which was in sixth place, currently has approximately 1,500 miles left to its destination.

At the time of the incident, Clipper Ventures says that Speirs was “clipped on, wearing his lifejacket, which included an AIS beacon, as well as approved waterproof ocean oilskins. A full investigation will now be carried out, as is standard practice, into the full details of the incident, including the reasons his safety tether did not keep him on board, in cooperation with the appropriate authorities.”

Continues below…

Clipper Round The World Yacht Race: Greenings salvage operation nearing completion

Less than a month since Greenings ran aground on the opening day of Race 3, the salvage operation to remove…

Clipper Round The World Yacht Race: Greenings out of the race after running aground near Cape Town

Clipper Round The World Race has announced that yacht Greenings will withdraw from the race after it ran aground halfway…

Clipper Round the World Race: Greenings skipper David Hartshorn ‘in good spirits’ after successful operation

Greenings skipper David Hartshorn's suffered a serious injury when his thumb was caught in one of the lines. He received…

MAIB report on Clipper Round The World Yacht Race deaths recommends extra safety

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A member of the crew since Race Start in the UK on August 20, 2017, Simon was an experienced sailor with over 40 years dinghy experience and a Coastal Skipper licence.

He also successfully completed the Clipper Race Coxswain Certificate (CRCC) in February this year in anticipation of his challenge. Designed in collaboration with the Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA), and the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) specifically for the Clipper Race, this involved an intensive two-week course, in addition to the four weeks of compulsory training that all Clipper Race crew must complete which concentrates on safety at sea.

Simon Speirs’s family was informed and yesterday (19 November) he was buried at sea. 

“Following medical advice and all considerations, Simon Speirs was given a sea burial at 0900 local time (0300 UTC) today during a service on board CV30 held by his Skipper Andy Burns and crew, supported by the Clipper Race office. As requested by Simon’s family, who were fully aware and came together to follow it at the same time back home, it was a Christian service, and the rest of the Clipper Race fleet also joined them in solidarity as it was carried out. “, reads the Clipper Round The World Yacht Race statement.

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2 November

Following careful analysis of the situation and condition of the Clipper Round The World Race yacht Greenings, the Clipper Race office has confirmed that the vessel is partially underwater after running aground on the western side of the Cape Peninsula, South Africa, and will take no further part in the Clipper 2017-18 Race.

The crew of Greenings (CV24), was safely evacuated after running aground at approximately 2140 UTC (2340 local time) on Tuesday (31 October) after leaving Cape town earlier in the day for Leg 3 of the eight-leg global sailing race. No injuries were reported.

Interim Skipper, Andy Woodruff, has been informed of the decision and discussions have taken place with Greenings Skipper, David Hartshorn (who is currently recovering from an earlier injury) and his crew regarding their future participation in this edition of the race. 

Underwriters have appointed a surveyor who will attend the boat tomorrow and, on receipt of his report, a decision will be made as to whether the boat will be salvaged or not.

1 November

The crew of Clipper Round the World Yacht Race team, Greenings (CV24), have been safely evacuated after running aground on the western side of Cape Peninsula, which sits roughly halfway between Cape Town and Cape Point, during Leg 3 of the eight-leg global sailing race.

The Clipper 70 yacht, which has already circumnavigated the world twice before, run aground at approximately 2140 UTC (2340 local time) on Tuesday 31 October after departing Cape Town earlier in the day.

There were no injuries reported on board and the skipper and all 17 crew members are safe and well but all were evacuated on to rescue boats provided by the NSRI (National Sea Rescue Institute) for precaution to return to shore at Hout Bay. 

Continues below…

Clipper Round the World Race: Greenings skipper David Hartshorn ‘in good spirits’ after successful operation

Greenings skipper David Hartshorn's suffered a serious injury when his thumb was caught in one of the lines. He received…

Watch: And they’re off! Clipper Round the World Yacht Race leaves from Liverpool

The biggest ever edition of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race got underway yesterday (20 August) on the River…

Clipper Race Director, Mark Light, and Chairman, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, plus members of the Maintenance Team have remained in constant contact with the skipper and with the rescue services. After initially being informed of the grounding another of the twelve teams, Unicef, as the closest vessel, was asked to standby to assist but, as the situation was quickly under control, Unicef was instructed to stand down and continue racing.

At this stage is unclear why Greenings ran aground but a full investigation is scheduled to take place and further updates will be provided in due course.

The post Clipper Round The World Yacht Race: Greenings out of the race after running aground near Cape Town appeared first on YBW.

Clipper Round The World Race director Mark Light has confirmed that Greenings skipper Dave Hartshon’s operation went well after injuring his hand during the race. The skipper’s thumb was caught in one of the lines.

“We are very happy to update that we spoke with Dave Hartshorn today who is in fantastic spirits, with his wife Lorraine by his side. He says the operation went really well and he will be discharged from hospital today (28 August).”, said Light.

“He required four hours of surgery on his fractured, partially detached left thumb, and will need another operation upon return to the UK but is expected to regain full use, albeit with some potential stiffness, following recovery time.”

Hartshon won’t be able to rejoin the team until he has fully recovered. Deputy Race Director Daniel Smith, who led the Derry-Londonderry-Doire team to second place in the 2015-16 race, will meet the team in Porto today and skipper Greenings onwards to Punta del Este, where the situation will then be reassessed.

Greenings was diverted to Porto, Portugal, on Saturday (26 August) after the David Hartshon, 52, suffered a serious injury to his left hand which requires emergency medical attention.

Clipper Race Director Mark Light said: “The incident occurred around 450 nm off the Portuguese coast whilst David was leading a spinnaker drop in breezy conditions. Unfortunately, his left thumb became caught in one of the lines which has resulted in some serious damage.”

Continues below…

Watch: And they’re off! Clipper Round the World Yacht Race leaves from Liverpool

The biggest ever edition of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race got underway yesterday (20 August) on the River…

Clipper Race amateur sailor Gavin Reid wins Yachtsman of the Year Award

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The decision to divert to Porto was made quickly following assessment from the race’s remote medical support physicians at PRAXES as well as the team’s onboard medic, that an urgent operation is required.

Light added: “In this rare situation that the skipper is incapacitated, coxswain qualified crew members on board each team have received intensive training on how to take control of the yacht alongside the skipper and lead it safely to the nearest port, where further assistance will be provided, which is the case in this situation.”

This opening leg of the race, between Liverpool, UK, and Punta del Este, Uruguay, is the first of eight stages which comprise the world’s biggest round the world yacht race. Over 700 crew are set to compete across the twelve teams in this global endurance test which will take eleven months to complete.

The first teams are expected to cross the finish line in Uruguay around 20 September. The Clipper 2017-18 Race left Liverpool’s Historic Albert Dock on 20 August and will return on Saturday July 28, 2018.

The post Clipper Round the World Race: Greenings skipper David Hartshorn ‘in good spirits’ after successful operation appeared first on YBW.

21 August

In front of a crowd of thousands, the 2017-18 Clipper Round the World Yacht Race started from Liverpool yesterday (20 August).

The day began with crew farewell ceremonies with family, friends and supporters looking on from the Albert Dock colonnades as each team had their moment on stage before all 247 crew members boarded their yachts, ready to leave land behind for approximately four weeks.

The teams paraded under sail up the River Mersey for the crowds of onlookers before pointing their bows for their first destination – Punta del Este in south east Uruguay.

Catherine Morgan, whose daughter, Pip O’Sullivan set sail for Punta del Este for the first leg of her circumnavigation on board GREAT Britain, said it was an emotional moment.

“I think the hardest moment for me was when they actually slipped lines and I felt very, very emotional. I’d held it all in until that point. But now she’s out at sea and the adventure has really started. We’ve been waiting for so long for it!”, she added.

Liverpool begins the race. Credit: onEdition

Spectators came from all over the country to be in Liverpool for this special occasion, including Sally Donaldson, who was there to support her uncle, Michael Husband, a circumnavigator on Dare To Lead.

“We’ve got all our family here. They’ve travelled from London, some from Yorkshire, everywhere to come and see him,” she said.

“It’s been a fantastic, big day. It’s obviously such a special occasion and we wouldn’t have missed it,” added Donaldson.

Many of the crew on board have been preparing for this moment for up to two years and even after undergoing the four levels of intense Clipper Race training, setting out to sail across an ocean for the first time is a daunting challenge.

Crowds cheer on the crews. Credit: Martin Rickett/PA Wire.

Legendary sailor and Clipper Race Chairman, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first person to sail solo, non-stop around the planet almost 50 years ago, founded the race to allow anyone, regardless of experience, the chance to experience ocean racing.

“Over the next 11 months, our crew and skippers will get to face everything Mother Nature can throw at them. Upon their return they will have sailed across many of the world’s greatest oceans. Very few people get to say that,” he stated.

“The Clipper Race has got bigger and better with each edition and I can’t help feeling incredibly proud as I watch our crew head off on what will certainly be a life changing journey. I will be watching them closely and wish them all safe voyage,” added Sir Robin.

Continued below…

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A cannon blast marked the start of the race in sunny conditions with strong tide. With winds against them, the first mark was a test of trimming, tacking and spotting the wind.

As the excited crowd looked on, GREAT Britain was the first team across the Start Line with Sanya Serenity Coast and Garmin less than a half a boat length behind.

With a short inshore circuit getting the race underway, Dare to Lead led the way over the line on the course’s return loop with Garmin less than half a boat length behind.

And they’re off! Credit: Clipper Round the World

Greenings and PSP Logistics struggled in the light airs and strong tide and HotelPlanner.com faltered on the start line but received one of the loudest cheers as it rounded the mark and has managed to keep in touch with the fleet as the teams now race into the Irish Sea.

After the excitement of starting in front of the masses, the test of endurance will now get underway as the 12-strong Clipper Race fleet heads 6,400 nautical miles, the equivalent distance of ten Fastnet Races, through the Atlantic Ocean towards Punta del Este, Uruguay.

This opening leg of the 11-month series will take approximately 35 days to complete and is the longest ever in the race’s 21-year history.

11 August

After months of planning, training and preparation, the Clipper Round the World Race fleet is on its way to Liverpool.

All 12 70-foot ocean racing yachts slipped lines on Wednesday (9 August), and won’t return to their home base at Gosport Marina until the 40,000 nautical mile race across the world’s oceans finishes in almost a year’s time.

The skippers and their delivery crew, made up mainly of people taking part in the opening Atlantic Trade Winds Leg from Liverpool to Punta del Este, Uruguay, have spent the past week preparing the boats, and themselves, for the epic adventure ahead.

John Vearncombe, a 53 year old property investor from Swanmore, Hampshire, will be completing the full circumnavigation on Liverpool 2018.

“We’ve been working hard to get the boat ready,” he said.

“All the new rigging has been put on and we have run the sheets. We’ve been servicing the winches, a bit of painting, redecorating, making it all watertight. Totally getting the boat ready for what the sea conditions will throw at us over the next year while we travel around the world,” added Vearncombe.

Another non-professional sailor taking part is Pip O’Sullivan from Ramsdell, Hampshire, who had never sailed before the four levels of Clipper Race training.

“Now it is time to go to Liverpool I am feeling really nervous, I’ve said goodbye to friends and family and I’m really excited now about getting going,” says Pip, who is racing around the world with GREAT Britain.

Locals turned out on both sides of Portsmouth Harbour to bid the Clipper Race fleet, skippers, and crew farewell, as they began the almost 500 nautical mile delivery to the world-famous UNESCO waterfront Albert Dock in Liverpool.

The Clipper Race fleet is due to arrive in Liverpool on Monday (14 August), which will herald the official opening of the Clipper Race Village at Albert Dock.

After a white sail parade on the Mersey, the teams will be treated to an official civic welcome ceremony.

There will be time for final preparation before the race starts next Sunday (20 August)

The first of eight legs that make up the Clipper Race, the Atlantic Trade Winds Leg, will see the twelve teams race from Liverpool to Punta del Este. At around 6,400 nautical miles, this will be the longest opening leg in the 21 year history of the Clipper Race.

The eleventh edition of the biennial round the world yacht race will also be the biggest yet in terms of crew – 712 non-professional crew will be taking part in the ultimate ocean challenge, representing 41 different nationalities.

After crossing six oceans and visiting 13 stopover ports on six continents, the fleet will return to Liverpool’s Albert Dock for the Race Finish on 28 July 2018, where one of the 12 teams will be awarded the illustrious Clipper Race trophy.

26 April

For the first time in a decade, Liverpool will be the start and finish port of the 2017-18 Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.

Race Start day is set for Sunday, 20 August 2017, and thousands of people are expected to descend on the historic Albert Dock to wave farewell to family and friends.

Race chairman, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, who was at the dock to reveal the news, said: “We are thrilled to announce that the Clipper Race is returning to the historic city of Liverpool.”

“A significant site for UK maritime history, I fondly remember the warm reception we received when Liverpool last hosted the Clipper Race and am looking forward to returning to Albert Dock again this August,” continued the legendary sailor.

“The Clipper Race has grown enormously in number of participants, yacht entries, economic influence and media value since it was last hosted by Liverpool a decade ago and we are looking forward to putting on an even bigger show in the city this time, which will not just have significant local economic impact, but will also put a maritime spotlight on the city all around the world,” added Sir Robin.

It is hoped that the race’s global platform will help to raise Liverpool’s international profile and maritime legacy, as well as inspire the next generation of sailors and seafaring enthusiasts in the waterfront city.

City leaders also aim to use the race to promote Liverpool’s cultural heritage on the world stage to position the city as the home of large scale cultural events that are accessible for all – reinforced at the moment as Liverpool bids to be the UK host for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Commenting on the decision, the Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, said: “It is a huge coup for Liverpool to once again play host to the start and finish of this prestigious race.”

“This city embraces and thrives on maritime spectacles – our affinity with the River is always much-celebrated and being the start and finish partner of the Clipper 2017-18 Race is sure to attract thousands to our world-famous waterfront.”

He added: “Staging an event of this calibre puts the city once again on an international platform – and this now being our fourth time welcoming this event, it really feels like we are the home of the Clipper Race.”

“The impact on the local economy as a result of this race will of course be huge, but the pride it will engender in the people of Liverpool is priceless as the international spotlight shines on the city once again. We look forward to welcoming the fleet, its crew and supporters,” commented the Mayor.

Liverpool has not only made a unique contribution to world commerce and culture, it has one of the world’s great waterfronts, with Albert Dock part of a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site in the city.

Aside from Liverpool, the only other cities in the world that have arrival ports in the heart of the city are Sydney, New York, and Shanghai.

The chief executive, Albert Dock Liverpool, Sue Grindrod, said the Clipper 2017-18 Race Start was going to be “yet another spectacular event at Albert Dock this summer for our visitors.”

“As one of the world’s most important maritime cities, it is a thrill to welcome back the race to the waterfront for a fourth time, with Liverpool yet again on the world stage, and Albert Dock firmly at the heart of the action. The yachtsmen and women are guaranteed a warm Liverpool welcome in August before they embark on their intrepid adventure,” she said.

The Clipper 2017-18 Race will mark the fourth-time Liverpool has hosted the Clipper Race in its eleven editions, making the city the event’s most frequented start and finish port ever.

Liverpool previously hosted the start and finish for the 2002-03, 2005-06 and 2007-08 race editions in the lead up to it being named European Capital of Culture in 2008.

The race will return to Albert Dock in Summer 2018 following its global route which will include stopovers in South America (port TBC), Cape Town, Western Australia (port TBC), Sydney, Hobart, East Coast Australia (port TBC) Sanya and Qingdao – China, Seattle – USA, Panama, New York, and Derry Londonderry – Northern Ireland.

16 March

The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race has revealed its line-up of professional skippers who will lead twelve teams of amateur crew in the eleventh edition of the world-famous challenge, setting sail in August.

The UK is  strongly represented with a combination of Welsh, Irish and English Skippers, along with crew from all over the world. For the second edition in a row, two female Skippers will be leading Clipper Race teams, one of whom will be the youngest Clipper Race Skipper to date.

The skippers for the 2017-18 edition of the race. Credit: onEdition

Clipper Race Founder and Chairman, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston said: “The role of Clipper Race Skipper is one of the toughest yet most rewarding jobs that exists in sailing. Not only do you have to be a highly capable sailor to be able to complete the relentless challenge of a circumnavigation, but you also have to be an excellent instructor and leader.

“Once again it is great to see our Skippers reflecting a diverse range of age, gender and geographical locations. As ever, I wish all twelve Skippers and their teams the best in their Clipper 2017-18 Race campaigns.”, he added.

With over 700,000 NM logged between them, the Clipper 2017-18 Race Skippers are looking forward to passing on their knowledge and expertise to their crew.

Nikki Henderson, 23, from Guildford will make history as youngest Clipper Race Skipper to date during the 2017-18 edition. On feeling any added pressure, she says: “There is pressure for all of us to perform, but I am confident in my experience, skill level and maturity.”

Hoping to build on the lessons learnt during her debut Clipper 2015-16 Race campaign, Wendy Tuck, 52, from Sydney is preparing to Skipper her second consecutive Clipper Race.

Gaëtan Thomas, 29, from Brussels will be the first Belgian to Skipper an entry in the Clipper Race. On this he says “I am proud to be able to represent the colours of my country around the world.”

LMAX Exchange wins The Clipper Round The World 2015-16

The participant, nicknamed the ‘Dynamic Dozen’, have started working full-time at the Clipper Race HQ in Gosport, Hampshire, this week, where they are leading the intensive crew training courses and making necessary race preparations.

This is the line-up of Clipper 2017-18 Race Skippers:

IRELAND, UK

Conall Morrison, 35, from Derry-Londonderry, Northern Ireland has a strong sailing background in both racing and sailing instruction. The Northern Irishman, who began sailing at age eleven on Lough Swilly and has watched the Clipper Race fleet arrive into Derry-Londonderry, is relishing the upcoming mental and physical challenge.

WALES, UK

David Hartshorn, 52, from Chepstow, Wales is familiar with the Clipper Race having previously taking part in the Pacific Ocean Leg as a crew member. David is a retired Superintendent who spent 30 years between Gwent Constabulary and the Metropolitan Police Service and is also a highly-experienced sailor. After retiring from the Metropolitan Police Force in 2014, David became a Clipper Race Training Skipper and is now looking forward to taking on the role of Skipper.

Tristan Brooks, 35, from Bangor has a vast sailing background and a highly-experienced Superyacht Captain. Tristan was exposed to boats from an early age and began sailing aged 13 on the Menai Strait. He has spent the past thirteen years working and instructing in the Superyacht industry which has taken him all over the globe, including most recently a 90-foot sailing yacht in Hong Kong.

SURREY, UK:

Nicola ‘Nikki’ Henderson, 23, from Guildford, Surrey, is set to make Clipper Race history after being selected as the youngest ever professional skipper to lead a team in the 40,000-nautical mile Clipper 2017-18 Round the World Yacht Race. Nikki has skippered three ARC races across the Atlantic (twice winning the Youngest Skipper Award), the Caribbean 600 – an inshore race circuit, two Cowes Weeks, and sailed over 10,000 miles in offshore deliveries. As an RYA instructor for over three years she has already taught over 200 students and also launched a Sailing and Watersports centre in Denver, Colorado.

LINCOLNSHIRE, UK:

Andy Burns, 31, from Skegness, Lincolnshire has already had a vast sailing career that spans 19 years and has seen him log over 100,000 nautical miles working around the globe in sail training and superyacht industries. An experienced yacht racer, Andy has competed in three Round the Island Races, six Superyacht Regattas, Cowes Week, the Panerai Classic, The Bicentenary, Sydney Harbour Twilight Series and Lion Island Races.

DEVON, UK:

Rick Powell, 52, from Chillington, Devon is an established yacht Skipper, RYA Yachtmaster Instructor and Marine Engineer whose sailing experience spans nearly two decades. Rick is looking forward to combining his wide range of sailing, engineering and leadership skills as he takes on the role of Clipper Race Skipper.

LANCASHIRE, UK:

Lance Shepherd, 53, from Blackpool, Lancashire is a former Royal Marine who left to become a freelance Skipper. Lance has extensive experience in ocean crossings, yacht racing, deliveries, team building, leadership and teaching of the RYA sailing syllabus. For Lance, who has followed the Clipper Race since it began in 1996, to become a Clipper Race Skipper is a dream come true.

WEST SUSSEX, UK:

Rob Graham, 38, from Angmering, West Sussex is no stranger to the Clipper Race. His partner, Alison Driver took part in the 2009-10 race as a crew member and since 2011 Rob has worked as a Training Skipper and mate for the Clipper Race, even getting involved in the commissioning and refit of the Clipper 70 yachts which he will now race round the world on. Having already successfully sailed from Europe to Cape Town, South Africa, Rob is most looking forward to the infamous Southern Ocean Sleigh Ride to the west coast of Australia.

YORKSHIRE, UK

Roy Taylor, 47, from Barnsley, South Yorkshire is a former Royal Air Force Weapons Technician, who has spent the past decade as a sailing instructor in both the UK and Germany. Most recently, he has been working with young people from the Marine Society and Sea Cadets of the United Kingdom’s training brig, the TS Royalist.

The next major event in the pre-race calendar is Crew Allocation, at Portsmouth Guildhall, May 20, where all Skippers and crew will be assigned to their teams for the first time.

AUSTRALIA:

Wendy Tuck, 52, from Sydney, is set to become the first Australian skipper to complete two circumnavigations with the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. Wendy got into sailing in her twenties and prior to the last edition of the Clipper Race, she spent the last decade as an RYA sailing instructor and charter skipper. This race will include her 11th Sydney Hobart where she won the Clipper Race Class in 2015.

GERMANY:

Chris Kobusch, 32, from Herford, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany has more than 70,000 nautical miles in his log book. Chris has worked and sailed all around the world including some ports on the Clipper Race route such as South Africa, China, UK and Australia. Working as an Instructor at the race’s Sydney Training hub, Chris also navigated in the 2015 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race on board CV5 in competition against his inspiration in sailing, Sir Robin.

BELGIUM:

Gaëtan Thomas, 29, from Brussels, is the first Belgian Skipper to lead a team during the Clipper Race. Gaëtan is an experienced ocean sailor who has sailed much of Europe and the Caribbean. Gaëtan once raced solo across the Atlantic and inspired by the father figure of French offshore racing, Eric Tabarly, Gaëtan’s life ambition is to one day compete in the solo professional sailing race, the Vendee Globe.

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