The Clipper Round the World Race -Would You Dare?

The vastness of the sea represents mystery to many that provokes an undeniable fascination. People long to explore its wilderness, and the sea has the ability to light the fire of adventure and discovery. Open ocean racing is a combination of yielding to the will of the elements, endurance and unearthing secrets of the watery depths. For this reason, it’s easy to see why tests such as the Clipper Round the World attract the attention of so many. It is a unique sailing challenge that tests the limits of sailors from around the globe that covers over 40,000 nautical miles and spans 8 months, taking them through some of the most treacherous seas and challenging weather conditions. Let’s have a look at the event that has been dubbed the “ultimate ocean adventure” and see what makes this experience so unique!

Let’s have a look at the event that has been dubbed the “ultimate ocean adventure” and see what makes this experience so unique!

What is the Clipper Round the World?

The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is a sailing competition that was first held in 1996. It is a biennial event that takes place every two years. It involves a fleet of 12 identical yachts and professional skippers along with sailors of varying degrees of expertise man these vessels. The race is divided into eight legs, and participants can sign up for individual legs or the entire race.

The route leads the crews across six continents and exposes them to some of the most challenging sailing conditions known to man. Conceived from the personal experiences of the renowned Sir Robin Knox Johnston, the first man to circumnavigate solo around the globe. His aim was to make people face their fears and push their limits with Clipper racing.

The racing yachts are designed to be easy to sail, and the crew is made up of a mix of experienced and novice sailors, which creates a level playing field. Not for the faint-hearted, this is an open-sea race that tests endurance, sheer will and the ability to adapt.

What is the route?

Leg 1 of this epic nautical adventure sees race fleets traverse the Atlantic Ocean, seeking trade winds. Next, they face the dreaded and uncertain Doldrums as they make their way to South America. With Leg 2, comes the rolling swells of the South Atlantic as they make their way to Cape Town. The strong westerly winds of the Roaring Forties is the ultimate challenge in Leg 3 as each race crew battles to reach the welcome sun-kissed beaches of Australia.

Going from West to East Australia is a mean feat in Leg 4. The roller-coaster of changing conditions challenge people in every way possible in this forbidding part of the world.

Crews surpass the Equator in Leg 5. Here, they make for the South China Sea and confront a host of sailing challenges and climatic changes. Leg 6 is the grand Pacific Leg that is as exhausting as rewarding in equal measures. Competitors can expect to spend more than a month at sea as they brave the cold and fierce conditions!

Leg 7 takes crews from the Pacific back to the Atlantic, to the warm waters of the Caribbean. Tactics and skills need to be sharp to advance in this route. In the concluding leg 8, emotions and tensions are running high as the podium places are up for grabs.

Why is this event so special?

This exhilarating event Race offers sailors the chance to witness some of the most remote and beautiful parts of the world. The route takes the fleet through the Panama Canal, across the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, and into the Mediterranean. The sailors will see breathtaking landscapes and have the opportunity to interact with people from different cultures. And while the sea can be unforgiving and knows no mercy, it can also create pockets of peace; cutting through the water sounds like an unforgettable experience!

Another aspect that adds to the addictive appeal of Clipper racing is that it is open to those who have little to no sailing experience and come from all walks of life. At the cost of £45,000 and high-stakes of venturing into the unknown, you can become part of the crew. Many people opt to take part in one or two legs of the journey as this is easier on the pocket. Each member of the crew must complete a grueling, intensive 4-week training course to prove that they are up to par.

Previous competitors have often admitted that grabbing a coveted podium spot is secondary; the partaking in this arduous circumnavigation is a reward in itself. In addition to the sailing challenge, the race also raises awareness for a number of charitable causes. Each boat represents a different charity, and the sailors raise money for their respective charities throughout the race. Since the inception of their partnership in 2015, over £1 million has been raised for UNICEF.

Do you have what it takes?

Would you dare to take part in the Clipper? Do you dream of sailing the high seas and experiencing the adventure of a lifetime? However, if you’re not ready to do that just yet, why not hire a yacht with Click&Boat? Learn some of the tips and tricks that will get you ready for your own ocean adventure with a skipper!