Sailing back to the Capital in 2026

With the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race 2025-26 underway, the ten teams will return to Washington, DC in the summer of 2026 following the success of its debut visit to the US capital during the 2023-24 edition.

Additionally, among the fleet is a home boat – Team Washington, DC – with most of the race crew hailing from the greater Washington Metropolitan area and three of them taking on the entire round the world adventure.

Events DC, the official convention and sports authority of Washington, DC returns for a second time as both a Host Port and Team Sponsor. The previous edition was hailed a success, driving $7.2 million dollars to the area during the Clipper Race’s ten-day stopover of the 2023-24 edition.

“In 2024, we brought the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race to the nation’s capital for the very first time and set a record for the most tours at any stopover in the history of the race,” said Events DC President and CEO Angie M. Gates. “We look forward to showcasing the very best of the District and making even more history when Team Washington, DC and the rest of the fleet return to our nation’s capital.”

During its last visit, more than 228,165 people visiting The Wharf alone, with 29% of people making the journey from out of town just to see the Clipper Race spectacle.

“I had the privilege of being First Mate on the Washington, DC boat last race, and the partner was fantastic,” noted Ella Hebron, team skipper. “Events DC was genuinely supportive, enthusiastic, and deeply invested in the life-changing journey each crew member was on.

“As skipper this time around, I’m incredibly proud to be continuing our partnership and championing Washington, DC once again. As a team, we can’t wait to represent them on this extraordinary adventure around the world. We’re determined to do them proud.”

With its focus on social and economic impact, Events DC will build on the results seen on the first visit to the city and solidify Washington, DC as a top sailing destination on the East Coast.

One of the Race Crew hopping on board this edition is Chris Ruotolo, a 42-year-old Training and Development Manager from Arlington, Virginia, who first learned about the experience during last year’s stop in Washington, DC. The stopover, which welcomed 2,100 visitors on board the fleet, broke records in participation and gave insight into what life is like above and below deck on a Clipper 70 racing yacht.

“I remember hearing about the Clipper Race for the first time during the 2023-24 edition when they came through The Wharf, and I knew immediately that I wanted to be a part of it,” Ruotolo said.

“I grew up within five miles of where the Clipper Race boats will depart from Washington, DC, so naturally, I feel an immense amount of pride and excitement for having been selected as part of Team Washington, DC. I’m also thrilled to have a great group of local friends and family that are going to be supporting me at the start and end of the race.”

Local Team Washington, DC crew:
Tina Brower-Thomas | Washington, DC | 53 | Scientist | Leg 4
Gardell Robinson | Washington, DC | 54 | Leg 1
Anthony Sennhenn | Alexandria | 40 | Military | Circumnavigator
Christopher Ruotolo | Arlington | 42 |Training and Development | Leg 8
Maria-Marta Andrade | Washington, DC | 67 | Retired | Leg 2
Tim Boatwright | Vienna | 56 | Director | Leg 4 |
Mruthyunjaya Gonchigar | Potomac | 64 | Medical Director | Circumnavigator
Ieva Notturno | Washington, DC | 42 | Manager | Circumnavigator

Event Details: www.clipperroundtheworld.com

About the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race:
The Clipper 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 Clipper Round the World Yacht Race has a fleet of identical Tony Castro designed Clipper 70s that compete on a multi-leg course around the world. The team having the best cumulative score over the entire course wins the Clipper Race Trophy. Ten teams will compete in the 2025-26 race, with the 14th edition getting underway from Portsmouth, UK on August 31.

The course has eight legs which includes stops in Puerto Sherry (Spain), Punta del Este (Uruguay), Cape Town (South Africa), Fremantle and Arlie Beach (Australia), Subic Bay (Philippines), Qingdao (China), Tongyeong City (Korea), Seattle (USA), Panama, Washington, DC (USA) and Oban (UK) before returning to Portsmouth (UK) in summer 2026.

Source: Events DC