The Clipper Race

The Clipper Race 2017-2018, started from Liverpool and we went to see the start, the 11th race.

The Clipper Race is one of the biggest challenges. Even though no previous sailing experience is necessary, the race is 40,000 nautical miles long, on a 70-foot ocean racing yacht. The race was envisaged by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first person to sail solo non-stop around the world in 1968-69.

The race is divided into 8 legs and the crew can choose to complete the full race or individual legs. The organizers supply the fleet and all the yachts are the same. Each yacht has its own fully qualified skipper. The teams are made up of ordinary people. They have to go through a training regime to get prepared for the race. This means that the members can be taxi drivers, engineers, bartenders, students, housewives and all are equal.

Interesting stats:
– 14 Host ports
– 712 Crew
– 198 Women on board and 514 Men
– 41 Nationalities
– 227 Days racing
– 18 years old the youngest and 76 years old the oldest member
– 337 professions represented in the race
– 361 Brits
– A single member from: Romania, Portugal, Peru, South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Greece, Chile, Bulgaria and Austria
– 83 crew members work in Building and Engineering
– Other fields: medical care, science and tech, teaching, hospitality, aviation, agriculture and farming
– 40% of the crew never sailed before

During this race, the clippers will visit 6 continents, will make 6 ocean crossings, 2 Equator crossings and 1 International Date Line crossing.

The legs of the race:
Leg 1 – The Atlantic Trade Winds: from Liverpool to Punta, Uruguay; 9,605km; 33 days
Leg 2 – The South Atlantic Challenge: from Punta, Uruguay to Cape Town, South Africa; 6,328km; 18 days
Leg 3 – The Southern Ocean: from Cape Town, South Africa to Fermantle, Australia; 8,972km; 23 days
Leg 4 – The All-Australian: from Fermantle to Sydney; Sydney to Hobart; Hobart to Whitsundays, all in Australia; 8,070km; 28 days
Leg 5 – The Asia-Pacific: from Whitsundays, Australia to Sanya, China; Sanya to Qingdao, China; 11,241km; 53 days
Leg 6 – The Mighty Pacific: from Qingdao, China to Seattle, USA; 10,681km; 33 days
Leg 7 – The USA Coast-to-Coast; from Seattle to Panama to New York, USA; 11,450km; 38 days
Leg 8 – The Atlantic Homecoming; from New York, USA to Derry-Londonderry and from Derry-Londonderry to Liverpool; 7,876km; 22 days

The teams:
Liverpool 2018 with 52 crew and 43 leggers, ages from 25 to 67, from 14 countries and 43 occupations; 41 men and 11 women. Occupations like IT Manager, Airline Pilot, Real Estate Developer and Housewife.
Unicef with 60 crew and 51 leggers, ages from 18 to 73, from 15 countries; 42 men and 18 women. Occupations like Dentist, Teachers, Barrister, Personal Assistant and IT Architecture Manager.
Garmin with 55 crew and 45 leggers, ages from 22 to 69, from 10 countries; 37 men and 18 women. Occupations like 3 doctors, a Pilot, Student, Film Marketing Manager and Geophysicist.
HotelPlanner with 57 crew and 48 leggers, ages from 22 to 76, from 15 countries and 38 occupations; 41 men and 16 women. Occupations like Aid Worker, Teacher, Occupational Therapist and Government Official.
Greenings with 52 crew and 43 leggers, ages from 18 to 72, from 18 countries; 36 men and 16 women. Occupations like Hotel Manager, Yoga Master, Wedding Celebrant and Charter Patent Attorney.
Dare to Lead with 57 crew and 49 leggers, ages from 18 to 69, from 9 countries; 38 men and 19 women. Occupations like Civil Servant, Company Director, Computer Software Analyst.
Visit Seattle with 60 crew and 50 leggers, ages from 22 to 66, from 14 countries and 27 occupations; 44 men and 16 women. Occupations like Athletic Director, Senior Applied Scientist and Renewable Energy Specialist.
Sanya Serenity Coast with 60 crew and 50 leggers, ages from 20 to 69, from 15 countries; 44 men and 16 women. Occupations like Student, Cardiovascular Surgeon and Translator.
PSP Logistics with 55 crew and 46 leggers, ages from 26 to 67, from 15 countries and 40 occupations; 41 men and 14 women. Occupations like BT Copper Cable Control, Coastwatch Volunteer and HR Business Partner.
Quingao with 64 crew and 55 leggers, ages from 21 to 71, from 15 countries; 46 men and 18 women. Occupations like Events Producer, Dental Surgeon and College Student.
Great Britain with 55 crew and 46 leggers, ages from 24 to 72, from 8 countries and 18 occupations; 39 men and 16 women. Occupations like Police Staff Investigator, Chartered Surveyor and Advertising.
Nasdaq with 57 crew and 48 leggers, ages from 20 to 65, from 15 countries; 43 men and 14 women. Occupations like Sales Manager, Engineer and Merchant Navy.

The amount of different ages and occupations is amazing. It must be such an exciting environment to race in. I found it fascinating to look at every team.

The Clippers will be back in Liverpool in July next year. Until then, I might have a look on their website to see the progress.