Clipper Race back after two year delay

The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, which has been on hold in Asia March 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions, will finally resume its 2019-20 edition from the Philippines on March 24, 2022. The race, which enables people from diverse walks of life to race across the world’s oceans, will depart Subic Bay for the start across the Pacific Ocean to Seattle, WA.

With almost 90 new and returning crew members from 21 countries across the globe, the eleven race teams just completed seven days of intensive training which involved running through the Level 4 Training syllabus, focusing on technical sailing and key safety maneuvers, such as boat-to-boat transfers and man overboard (MOB) drills, during the day and night.

The teams ran through all sail evolutions, winch-handling, use of grinders and helming, as well as establishing their watch systems so teams are prepared both from a technical sailing and a safety perspective for the North Pacific Ocean. With many new crew members participating on this leg, a huge emphasis was also placed on team building.

“I’ve been waiting for this day for two years, and the excitement was justified,” noted crew Tracy Corkett. “We all had an amazing week, and I just can’t wait to get started on the North Pacific crossing!”

Racing equally matched 70-footers, Deputy Race Director Dale Smyth explains how the leg will begin with a Le Mans start due to the race starting remotely offshore.

“The fleet will leave Subic Bay on March 20, and motor up to the Luzon Strait. This area of the Philippines is known for windholes and very fickle sailing, so we are starting the race on March 24, allowing the yachts to motor up to the start line north of Luzon, and also provide some extra time for offshore training in the Philippines before the race starts.”

Race details – Team list – Race route – Tracker – Facebook

The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race was established in 1996 by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first person to sail solo non-stop around the world in 1968-69. His aim was to allow anyone, regardless of previous sailing experience, the chance to embrace the thrill of ocean racing; it is the only event of its kind for amateur sailors.

Held biennially, the 2019-20 Clipper Race got underway September 1 for the fleet of eleven identical Tony Castro designed Clipper 70s. As the most subscribed round the world race, the 12th edition had attracted 688 crew representing 43 nationalities for the 41,000+ nm course.

However, when the fleet arrived in Asia, the COVID-19 pandemic blocked the fleet from the planned routes in China. The 11 Clipper 70s have remained at Subic Bay Yacht Club in the Phillipines since March 2020 after organizers and Race Crew were forced to return home due to pandemic restrictions, with the restart now to take place in March 2022.