On 27 July 2024 the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race will return to Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth, after an eleven-month circumnavigation of the world's toughest oceans.
The fleet of eleven yachts will arrive at the Hampshire marina having raced 40,000 nautical miles (nm) around the world, crossing five oceans, visiting six continents and spending weeks at a time at sea battling it out in 14 individual stages.
The Clipper Race is an adventure of the unknown, taking non-professional sailors and training them to become ocean racers as they take on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure around the world. Gunwharf Quays will welcome over 200 Race Crew to its Discovery Zone this July, some of which will be returning back to Portsmouth, UK, for the first time since setting sail in September 2023.
Witness what is set to be an unforgettable homecoming as the fleet arrives back at its start port. Race Crew on board have shown courage, skill, and spirit, and are set to receive the heroes' welcome they deserve. Making the arrival even sweeter, some of the Race Crew are travelling home, the long way around, as they sail back into their home county.
James Finney, Race Skipper on board Zhuhai, is from Southampton:
“It's going to be amazing sailing home. I'm not yet sure how I feel – I think it will be very emotional! We've got a fantastic team here, and whilst I'll be very happy for the racing to stop, I will miss them a lot. Sailing in and seeing all the iconic sights, the needles, the Isle of Wight, the forts on the way into Portsmouth, knowing you've made it the whole way round, it's going to be quite the day!
“My experience on the Clipper Race has given me a lot of confidence, taking on the role of Race Skipper there is so much uncertainty, you don't know what's going to happen on your circumnavigation. It's the leading role, and I remember leaving Portsmouth and being very nervous. But having a race that has exceeded my expectations, I will be leaving feeling pretty pleased!”
The fleet is currently berthed in Oban, Scotland, the first time the race has visited the stopover destination in its race history, before it sets sail for the final race of the edition on 21 July. It's tense at the top of the leaderboard; just seven points separate the first and third placed yachts, so the overall win is still very much all to play for.
The final stage will see the matched fleet take on 850nm of ocean racing, as it sails down the west coast of the country, before crossing the ultimate Finish Line behind the Isle of Wight. It'll then be one last fight for the top spot as a finale sprint will see bonus points up for grabs – potentially deciding the race champion in that very moment.
There is a weekend festival of celebration planned for the Grand Finale, kicking off on 26 July, and running through to the evening of 28 July. Full programme of events here.
For all the racing action, an overview of the events taking place on the Grand Finale Day (27 July) are here:
1130-1200 – Race Finish
1300-1330 – Parade of Sail
1400-1450 – Fleet berthing in Gunwharf Quays
1515-1530 – Teams Parade
1535-1630 – Prizegiving
1630-2000 – Live music and celebrations
