Historic ending to Clipper Race 2017-18

Liverpool, UK (July 28, 2018) – History has been made in as Australian sailor, Wendy Tuck, became the first ever woman to win a round the world yacht race after leading her Sanya Serenity Coast team to clinch overall victory in the Clipper 2017-18 Round the World Yacht Race.

Thousands of people from around the globe flocked to the banks of the River Mersey to watch the spectacular Race Finish Sprint. After an intense 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, it was Sanya Serenity Coast that managed to hold the overall lead and in an additional win for women’s sport, second place overall went to British Sailor Skipper Nikki Henderson, 25, the Skipper of Visit Seattle.

“I can’t believe it. It hasn’t really sunk in really but I am just so happy. It is so, so special,” said the 53-year-old Sanya Serenity Coast Skipper from Sydney. “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 Henderson was pleased to have come so close as the youngest skipper ever for the race. “It’s going to take a while for this to sink in,” said Henderson. “To realise what we have achieved – what I have achieved. I gave this race my all. I gave it my life, my everything. I gave my crew all of me – the good, the bad, the positive, the negative – highs – lows – tears – and laughter. I opened myself up for failure – aimed as high as I could – felt the steep falls, the downs but in the end – this time – it worked.”

One of the biggest cheers of the day went to home team Liverpool 2018. The bright pink team entry, which 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.

On arrival, 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 in front of a jubilant crowd on the steps of the Museum of Liverpool where each team’s achievements were celebrated for one final time.

The Clipper Race is unique in that it trains non-professionals to be ocean faring sailors. Established in 1996 by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first man to sail solo, non-stop around the world, 40 percent of Clipper Race crew have no previous sailing experience before signing up and undergoing the compulsory four weeks of training.

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 Results
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

Event details – Race facts – Race viewer – Facebook

Background: Held biennially, the Clipper 2017-18 Round the World Yacht Race got underway August 20 for the fleet of twelve* identical Tony Castro designed Clipper 70s. The 40,000nm course is divided into 13 individual races with the team having the best cumulative score winning the Clipper Race Trophy. The race concludes in Liverpool on July 28.

Each team is led by a professional skipper with an all-amateur crew that signs up for one, some, or all the races. The 2017-18 race, expected to take 11 months, has attracted 712 people representing 41 nationalities, making it the largest to date.

* Twelve teams began the first leg but one yacht (Greenings) ran aground just hours after the start on October 31 of the third leg from Cape Town, South Africa to Fremantle, Australia. The crew was safely evacuated but damage to the boat was deemed too extensive for it to continue in the 2017-18 edition.

Race Route – Race Schedule and Miles

Source: Clipper Ventures