Bloomberg Television has acquired the rights to sports news and long-form programming of the world’s longest ocean race.

Season two of the highly acclaimed series ‘Race of Their Lives’ airs from this weekend and comprises seven one-hour shows with an exclusive ‘access-all-areas’ pass to the tenth edition of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race - the unique biennial endurance challenge for amateur sailors.

The unique event was established in 1996 and sees hundreds of competently trained teams of ‘Corinthian’ competitors from all walks of life, under the command of professional skippers, take on the longest and toughest ocean race around the planet at more than 40,000 nautical miles.

It takes almost a year to complete a series of 14 races between six continents, including the challenging Australian blue water classic, the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. The compelling human story of endeavour and endurance unfolds in this exclusive television series.

The first episode of the second series of 'Race of Their Lives' will air on Bloomberg Television on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 December at 1100 AM GMT (1200 CET) across UK, Europe, Middle-East and Africa. Subsequent installments will air in future months as the race progresses around the world, ending back in London at the end of July 2016.

You can also catch series one of ‘Race of Their Lives’ currently airing on Bloomberg TV EMEA on Saturdays and Sundays at 1200 noon GMT (1300 CET)

UK based 1080 Media TV has been retained for a second season to produce and distribute the global long-form official TV series, live feeds, news and social media packages. “We introduced a new look and style to the production in the last race and will continue to develop a strong multi-platform approach which maximises traditional broadcast and new digital media opportunities for a strong global brand like the Clipper Race,” said Founder and CEO of 1080 Media TV Cliff Webb.

“We'll continue to explore new technological opportunities too, filming aboard the yachts in the depths of remote and inhospitable environments such as the Southern Ocean where it's cold, wet and dangerous. It’s a real challenge for both people and equipment but we're confident our teams will get the best possible images to show how the crew cope with all that mother nature throws at them and bring home the stories.”

The Clipper Race fleet is owned and operated by Clipper Ventures which commissioned the TV series: “The reappointment of 1080 Media TV reflects the growing demand and diversity of requirements for our high-energy content as every-day people take on this remarkable challenge,” said Clipper Ventures Global Business and Communications Director, and executive producer, Jonathan Levy.

The Clipper 2015-16 Race got underway at the end of August, with coverage reaching over 125 countries including race destination markets such as the UK, Brazil, South Africa, Australia, Vietnam, China, USA, Panama and the Netherlands, plus France and Canada following skippers and crew in big numbers.

“New technology on the twelve yachts is also opening up live access for broadcasters. We can support live video Skype links from the deck of the yachts, which creates unprecedented opportunities for audiences to be at the heart of the action as it unfolds,” added Levy.

Derry–Londonderry–Doire is diverting to Hobart in Tasmania for a medevac of an injured crewman as a precautionary measure.

Skipper Daniel Smith contacted the Race Office at 1030 AEDT today (2330 UTC Tuesday 8 December) to report that round-the-world crew member Michael Gaskin, 54, from the West Midlands, UK, had sustained suspected broken ribs after he fell by the helming position when a wave broke over the back of the yacht in rough seas and 35 knots wind, approximately 130 nautical miles to the southwest of Tasmania.

Team Medics Ali Boeree and Jan Chatzis administered first aid while the Skipper contacted ClipperTelemed+, the Clipper Race remote telemedicine service. Doctors at the Praxes operations centre in Halifax, Canada, confirmed diagnosis and directed the provision of pain relief and anti-nausea medication.

Due to the proximity of Hobart and the rough conditions, the Skipper has decided to divert as a precaution so that Michael can be treated ashore. The team will continue the race to Sydney once Michael has been transferred to hospital.

“The Skipper reports that Mike is in a stable condition and is receiving pain relief,” explained Race Director Justin Taylor. “The conditions were quite challenging at the time. Mike was clipped on behind the high side helm. The low side helm took over to allow Mike to step in. A breaking wave broke over the side of cockpit and Mike says he hit the pushpit and heard his ribs crunch. He was then washed into the A frame and sustained a small cut to his head. He was stopped by his safety tether. This was the first breaking wave into the boat the team had experienced, although they had a lot of spray.”

Water breaking over the deck is very powerful. A cubic metre of water weighs a metric tonne.

This is the first medevac of the Clipper 2015-16 Round the World Yacht Race, the tenth edition of the biennial global series, the world’s longest ocean race at more than 40,000 miles, taking 11 months to race between six continents. Only a handful of the 3300 amateur sailors who have participated over the last 19 years have had to be evacuated, the majority as a precaution following medical treatment aboard.

Michael’s next of kin has been informed. Everyone else aboard is safe and well.

Michael is an experienced yachtsman, holding a Day Skipper qualification and had previously sailed around Scotland, the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean.

The yacht is estimated to reach Hobart around 1000 AEDT tomorrow (Thursday) morning 10 December (2300 UTC 9 December).

Derry~Londonderry~Doire has clinched second place into Albany, Western Australia, at the end of Race 3 across the Southern Ocean from Cape Town, South Africa, in the Wardan Whip. It crossed the line within twelve hours of first placed LMAX Exchange at 0932 UTC (1732 local) in the tenth edition Clipper 2015-16 Round the World Yacht Race.

The race was a typical Southern Ocean leg, with the fleet enduring a storm as it left Table Bay and taking a battering. The choices made in those first 36 hours shaped the race for a lot of the teams, with the top three yachts enduring it well and keeping up a lot of sail during the storm. They eventually had a lead of 1000 miles on the backmarkers.

All the boats reported boat-breaking conditions with gusts of 70-80 knots on several occasions, extremely confused seas and waves of 8-10 metres during the race.

Skipper Daniel Smith said: “We had a real mix of weather, absolutely everything from being becalmed and having to work really hard to keep the boat moving, to much more wind than we wanted at times, so exciting sailing but frustrating sailing too.”

The Northern Irish sponsored team has been engaged in a nail-biting duel with Chinese rival Qingdao over the last 24 hours. Its better wind angle enabled it to overtake Qingdao which had to tack and lose its advantage in the process.

Daniel added: “We had been ahead of Qingdao, but there was a big area of light wind coming into Albany, so there were big tactical decisions the last few days about which way to go to try and pass that area of low wind, and it was very frustrating.

“That kept me concentrating, my nerves were on edge a little but I am starting to get a lot more sleep than I was at first. The team knows what it is doing, so I can leave them to get on with it. I am very proud of the team, they have worked very hard, especially the last few days - we could have ended up in third place.”

Derry~Londonderry~Doire also clinched two bonus points by winning the Ocean Sprint in the closing stages of this challenging 4850 nautical mile ‘sleigh ride’ across one of the most notorious oceans on the planet as it braved a series of storms in the infamous Roaring Forties.

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Cllr Elisha McCallion has sent her congratulations to the Skipper and crew of the Derry~Londonderry~Doire yacht on securing second place in Leg 3. Extending her best wishes on behalf of the people of the city and district, the Mayor said:

“Each and every member of the Derry~Londonderry~Doire team should be extremely proud, this is a massive achievement. Everyone here at home is absolutely delighted that they have secured another podium place.

“We are very proud to be an Official Race Partner and Host Port, and hugely excited as we eagerly follow the Clipper Race fleet ahead of its arrival here next July for the Foyle Maritime Festival celebrations. Our participation in the race is a fantastic opportunity for us to promote our city and region, and the team is doing a great job of that by telling our good news story and securing podium finishes. Well done to everyone involved and good luck in the next leg of the race,” she added.

Leg 3 crew member Jo Hillan, from Belfast, said the team had a fabulous time: "It was just over three weeks of fun, madness, laughter, lots of good times, lots of very hard times. But we are very glad to be here, and so excited to be second. It wasn’t quite the sleigh ride we were all expecting, but we did quite a bit of surfing, and there was quite a bit of beating at the beginning and the end, and it was hard doing everything at 45 degrees.

"We thought we had lost our second position to Qingdao over the last few days with the wind hole, but having got it back, it has been great for everybody. Once we knew we had that edge, we knew we had a bit more fight left in us to get it back, and it really spurred everyone on.

“The cold was very hard, no amount of gloves seem to help, but we survived. We have had lots of boats come out to meet us here in Albany, the locals are very friendly, and we have beers waiting for us so we are very happy,” she added.

The 4845 nautical mile Southern Ocean crossing to Western Australia, was named by host port Albany the ‘Wardan Whip’ - inspired by the traditional native Noongar language which means ‘ocean of southern winds’.

The team will now enjoy the stopover in Host Port Albany, where various public and crew events are planned. Joining the crew there is David Pollock, the first of five people to have been awarded a place on the race through the Derry City and Strabane District Council bursary schemes. David, 31, from Eglington will take part in Leg 4 which involves three races, the first of those is to Sydney, after which the whole fleet participates in the famous Sydney-Hobart Race and will finish the final stage at Airlie Beach, Queensland.

The Derry~Londonderry~Doire team is in a strong position sitting at the top of the Overall Race Standings as it starts the third leg of the 14-race global series in the latest Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. Derry~Londonderry~Doire made an energetic start from Cape Town in the 4845 nautical mile Southern Ocean crossing to Western Australia, named by host port Albany the ‘Wardan Whip’ - inspired by the traditional Noongar language which means ‘ocean of southern winds’.

“Many sailors see this leg as one of the biggest challenges of the race,” said Justin Taylor, Race Director. “The conditions are massively testing and those who get it right will see exactly what the Clipper Race yachts are made of, surfing at more than 25 knots on swells bigger than buildings.”

The fleet paraded out into Table Bay following a colourful departure ceremony from the V&A Waterfront. There was a stiff 20 knots of breeze from the south out on the start line with stronger gusts over 35 knots.

First over the line was Qingdao followed by LMAX Exchange and Visit Seattle in hot pursuit. They headed inshore towards the first mark at Paarden Eiland at which point Derry~Londonderry~Doire was first round the mark, before turning north up the bay to the Milnerton mark. From here it was back out to sea and the critical tactical decision on how far out to go to avoid becoming becalmed in the lee of Table Mountain.

Derry~Londonderry~Doire is leading the overall race along with GREAT Britain. The two teams have finished within minutes of each other in the first two races to Brazil and South Africa and both have 23 points. Before departing Cape Town Skipper Daniel Smith said: “I’m really excited. We have got the boat ready to go and we are looking forward to getting out sailing again. It’s been lovely in Cape Town and we’ve had some good rest and relaxation but we are keen to get going and do some exciting sailing.

“For me heading into the Southern Ocean is a bit of a treat because I haven’t been there before,” said the 32 year old Scot. “I’m looking forward to some windy conditions and some bigger waves which should make the boat go quite fast as well. This is known to be one of the bigger, more exciting legs but I think generally the crew is looking forward to it and feels ready for it.

“We found that Race 2 from Rio to Cape Town was a little bit breezier than we expected and we went quite far south, so as a team we have experienced some windy conditions and big waves as well. That should be good training for everyone. In actual fact it looks like it’s going to be breezey on the nose to begin with so it will probably be quite a bumpy start to the race but we’ve had that a couple of times now so fingers crossed we are ready for it.

“We are looking forward to seeing some interesting wildlife, nice skies at night and top speeds,” Daniel continued.

Race Director Justin Taylor added: “At the start of this race the crews will pass under the first of the World’s great capes, The Cape of Good Hope. At the end of the race they will pass under the second great cape of Leeuwin in Western Australia.”

The estimated arrival window into Albany is between 22 and 26 November.

Just two months into its 11 month global endurance challenge the Clipper 2015-16 Round the World Yacht Race is proud to announce it has already raised an incredible £100,000 for Official Race Charity Unicef, the world’s leading children’s organisation.

Clipper Race Co-Founder and CEO William Ward said: “A huge thanks to all Clipper Race crew and supporters for their incredible efforts. We are really proud to reach this fundraising milestone, which equates to a third of our £300,000 target for our Official Race Charity Unicef so early on in the race.

“Not only are our crew achieving inspiring results whilst racing the world’s oceans but through their fantastic fundraising for Unicef, they are also helping make our planet a safer place for children as they go. We look forward to celebrating many more fundraising milestones as we continue to build a powerful future together which now also includes the Clipper 2017-18 Race.”

More than 700 crew members representing 44 different nationalities are taking part in the Clipper 2015-16 Round the World Yacht Race, competing against each other on board twelve teams. It is the only event of its kind that trains amateur sailors to circumnavigate the world, an achievement less people have completed than have climbed Mount Everest.

At the same time as Clipper Race crews are taking on one of the greatest challenges on Earth, children around the world are experiencing the most dangerous challenges. They’re facing violence, disease, hunger and the chaos of war and disaster. Millions of children are suffering and dying needlessly. This is wrong and the Clipper Race is helping Unicef to change it.

Catherine Cottrell, Unicef UK’s Deputy Executive Director, said: “Raising £100,000 is a fantastic achievement so soon into the race and it will make a huge difference to the lives of children around the world. We are extremely grateful to the Clipper Race crew and supporters for this incredible effort and look forward to seeing what else they achieve throughout the rest of the race.”

Clipper Race crew and supporters have been getting involved in all sorts of fundraising activities, including; personal sponsorship, crew departure parties, designing and making team supporter wristbands, and holding auctions.

As if competing in the race was not challenge enough, some crew are incorporating their sail racing with other endurance activities in support of Unicef. IchorCoal crew member Sean Lee is running a half-marathon in each of the 14 race ports around the world; LMAX Exchange crew member Karen Weston is running 20 kilometres miles every day for nine months to make up the 5,400km length of her American coast to coast leg which will go from Seattle to New York via the Panama Canal; and in December, Unicef crew member Marta Michalska will cycle the 1300km length of the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race on a static exercise bike in Sydney, before then sailing in the race a few days later.

Clipper Race staff are also helping to raise vital funds, for example, Digital Manager Paul Hankey and Crew Recruitment Director David Cusworth cycled 260 miles from London to Plymouth after the 2015-16 Race Start, and Finance Administrator James Wood is aiming to run 1,000 miles during the eleven month race duration, with many others entering various cycle and running races in support.

The Clipper 2015-16 Round the World Yacht Race is 40,000 nautical miles long. It set sail from London on 30 August this year and will arrive back 11 months later on 30 July 2016.

The longest ocean race in the world, the Clipper Race is also known as one of the planet's toughest endurance challenges. Crew can choose to compete either the whole race or one or more of its eight individual legs.

Highly accomplished ocean racing skipper and instructor Bob Beggs is to take the helm aboard Qingdao in Cape Town for the remainder of its global Clipper 2015-16 Race campaign. The former British Army commando led the winning team in The Times Clipper 2000 Round the World Race.

“I am really looking forward to leading the Qingdao team. They have demonstrated a highly competitive spirit in their first two races and I will work with them to continue to develop their campaign to ensure they have a rewarding race experience.”

Beggs, 55, is a successful ocean racing veteran. He achieved his first Atlantic crossing under sail in a Camper Nicholson ketch in 1988. He led Bristol Clipper to victory in The Times Clipper 2000 Race and is an experienced sailing instructor. Among his many racing campaigns are five Fastnet races as skipper, numerous Trans-Atlantic and Round Britain and Ireland races. In addition he has a wide range of activity interests which include diving, parachuting and skiing.

He replaces Skipper Igor Gotlibovych, who left the race following its arrival in South Africa. Race Director Justin Taylor said: “Bob is a very experienced skipper. I am confident he will bond quickly with the Qingdao crew and will help them develop their skills and success even further.

“We decided to part company with Igor by mutual agreement and wish him well in his future endeavours.”

The Northern Irish sponsored Clipper Yacht Race team narrowly missed out on a leg victory in South Africa last night. The Derry~Londonderry~Doire crew watched on as the Great Britain crew took Line Honours in a high speed battle across 3,400 nautical miles from Brazil to South Africa in the second leg of the 14-race global series that forms the 40,000 nM Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.

This leg across the South Atlantic Ocean is the Stormhoek Race to the Cape of Storms and conditions didn’t disappoint, pushing the fleet on in a fast and furious crossing with some record speeds in excess of 30 knots, with the front runners averaging a credible 10 knots across the entire 14 day dash from Rio de Janeiro to Cape Town.

British Sailor Peter Thornton, the GREAT Britain Skipper said: “It is a great sense of achievement for the crew and relief, because you really want to be first across the line if you even have that hint of a possibility.”

.@DerryClipper arrives in Cape Town, South Africa after finishing @Stormhoek Race to the Cape of Storms #ClipperRace pic.twitter.com/C4JWn3n29n

— The Clipper Race (@ClipperRace) October 22, 2015

The final nail-biting finish played out in the dark around 2200 local time (2000 UTC) as three teams jostled for places with the massive iconic presence of Table Mountain felt, if not seen, as it cast a wind shadow across the closing stages near to the finish line. The light winds that Table Bay is renowned for created huge concern for the crew as Mother Nature played games with their prospects following a Force 7 blast with gusts well in excess of 30 knots just hours earlier.

GREAT Britain, Derry~Londonderry~Doire and Garmin battled for the lead next to each other as they converged on Cape Town. GREAT Britain took a small advantage but hit the wind shadow first, enabling Derry~Londonderry~Doire to have a chance to overtake. Just as it looked like the Northern Irish sponsored team would take the lead it also ground to a virtual halt as GREAT Britain started to accelerate again.

Garmin had gone slightly further out and looked to trump its two adversaries when it too got caught in a wind hole, not to escape until it was too late.

GREAT Britain sprinted towards the race finish off the V&A Waterfront to take Line Honours at 2030 UTC; Derry~Londonderry~Doire broke free of the wind shadow to finish at 20.40.18 UTC followed by Garmin at 2102 UTC.

Peter Thornton added: “The tension was incredible in those last few miles. I must admit I was getting very worried because we had been neck and neck with Derry~Londonderry~Doire, Garmin and Mission Performance for the last 72 hours, and as we got closer to Cape Town in the final hours it was so close. Derry~Londonderry~Doire was just yards behind us again, a little bit like the first leg so it could’ve been anybody’s race.”

The South African Western Cape based Stormhoek Wines, the Official Wine Partner of the Clipper 2015-16 Race, provided special edition magnums of sparkling wine for each team to celebrate completing the Stormhoek Race to the Cape of Storms in style.

After a closely fought battle for the finish line, Derry~Londonderry~Doire was second to cross and Skipper Daniel Smith said: "It’s been a drag race to the finish. Table Bay is renowned for wind holes, one minute one boat is doing 10 knots a minute later doing 1 knot while another boat was sailing past it. It’s very tricky. I am very proud of the whole team.

“We had the full extremes of weather, we had some very windy conditions and they dug deep and fought hard. The results seem to be getting better, I think the team has learnt a lot and is working well together.”

Having led for most of the 3,400 nM race, Garmin slipped towards the end and was the third team to cross the line. Skipper, Ashley Skett said his crew will take a lot from this race: “Although we led for a lot of the race, we never thought we had it in the bag.

“We were very confident that we had a decent enough lead to make it through until about two days ago and then we went into the high pressure that was forecast and there was no way around it at all. The rest of the fleet caught up. It wasn’t great for us but we have proved we can hold our own and be competitive so I think that is something to take forward into the next race.”

Mission Performance was fourth across the line at 0053 UTC Thursday 22 October.

This race is being run on an elapsed time basis and the final positions and points will be awarded in ascending elapsed time. The shortest time wins. This is to account for the late start of LMAX Exchange and Qingdao after repairs following damage caused outside of racing during the stopover in Brazil. They started three days 14 hours and ten minutes after the rest of the fleet.

Elapsed times for the first three arrivals into Cape Town are:
GREAT Britain 14 days 2 hours 30 minutes
Derry~Londonderry~Doire 14 days 2 hours 40 minutes 18 seconds
Garmin 14 days 3 hours 2 minutes
Mission Performance 14 days 6 hours 53 minutes

The Clipper Race fleet and Sir Robin Knox-Johnston to return in Rolex Sydney Hobart Race 2015. The international Clipper Race fleet will race again compete in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race (RSHYR) this December, bringing colour with Corinthian sailors from 26 different nationalities.

And legendary British sailor Sir Robin Knox-Johnston (76), the founder of the world’s longest ocean race and the first man to sail solo, nonstop round the world in 1968/9, will also race on one of two Clipper 68 Events yachts taking part.

The 14-strong fleet will compete in the Australian offshore classic for the second time as part of its 40,000 nautical mile circumnavigation, and will once again have its own Clipper Race class.

The fleet will arrive into Sydney around December 11 on the All-Australian Leg, half-way in its global race series having departed London on 30 August.

Sir Robin said: “There is a real buzz amongst our Clipper Race crew about racing with the world’s best sailors again in one of the most famous offshore races. The crew will have sailed half way round the world in order to participate, and will be excited to pit themselves against the best competitors in the sport.

“The event was one of the highlights of the entire circumnavigation when we first competed in 2013, and we are very excited to be coming back to compete again.”

The two Sydney-based Clipper 68s are entered in the RSHYR. Join Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and past crew racing against the Clipper 70s and the rest of the RSHYR fleet. Former Clipper Race crew and non-crew are invited to take part.

Amongst the Clipper Race competitors will be Sydney Skipper Wendy Tuck, the first Australian female Skipper in the history of the Clipper Race, who is leading the Da Nang – Viet Nam entry. It will be her ninth RSHYR. GREAT Britain and Visit Seattle Skippers Peter Thornton and Huw Fernie will also compete in their second RSHYR.

And 50 Australian amateur crew are competing in the circumnavigation from across various states.

On announcing the fleet is officially entered, CYCA Commodore, John Cameron added: “This year the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is shaping up to be a spectacular - our 71st race will be an event to watch - from the super maxis vying for the fastest time to the bulk of the fleet battling it out for the prized Tattersall’s Cup, awarded to the overall winner.

“Added to the mix we have, for the second time, the Clipper Race yachts. They will bring an additional 14 boats to our race, with the added character that only Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and his yachts and crews can add as part of their round the world Race, and we look forward to welcoming them back,” he ended.

The fleet will arrive in Sydney from Albany, Western Australia, before racing in the 628 nautical mile classic, which will form Race 5 of the 14 race global Clipper 2015-16 Race series.

The second race in the Clipper 2015-16 Round the World Yacht Race series, The Stormhoek Race to the Cape of Storms, started off the Brazilian coast yesterday for its 3,417 nautical mile voyage to Cape Town, South Africa.

Teams departed in glorious sunshine and 28 degree C temperatures today from the Rio 2016 Olympic sailing venue, Marina da Gloria.

LMAX Exchange and Qingdao are anticipated to start racing on Sunday 11 October after repairs are completed following LMAX Exchange running aground while being delivered to another marina and Qingdao getting into difficulties while offering assistance.

The Clipper Race fleet is due into Cape Town, between 21-25 October and will be berthed at the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront until 31 October.

Clipper Race Yacht CV24 (LMAX Exchange) has run aground 42nm from Rio de Janeiro. There are no injuries and the local coast guard has been informed. Sir Robin Knox-Johnston is with the Race Office team on site with CV24 which ran aground on a sandy outcrop 42 miles southwest of Marina da Gloria according to Clipper Race officials. He reports that the only damage appears to be the starboard rudder, which can be repaired.

Sir Robin said: “The hull is intact and the boat is secured by its anchor. We will remain on site to await the arrival of heavier equipment to get her off.”

Sir Robin and our Race Office Team were transferred to the site of the incident by CV27, GREAT Britain, which is now returning to Marina da Gloria.

CV24 LMAX Exchange was transferring to another marina to be lifted for the application of new hull branding when the incident occurred around midnight local time last night. There were no injuries.

Sir Robin, members of the Race Office team and the LMAX Exchange skipper and three crew are remaining with CV24.

It appears while transiting to another marina to be lifted for the application of new hull graphics, CV24 (LMAX Exchange) has run aground. 

More details will be issued as we have them.