The Clipper Round the World Race Fleet Sets Sail for Punta del Este

16th September 2023

The start of race two of the 2023/4Clipper Round the World Race from Puerto Sherry in Spain across the Atlantic Ocean to Punta del Este in Uruguay

The Clipper Race fleet has begun the second race of its circumnavigation that began in Portsmouth earlier this month and bid farewell to its first stopover destination, Puerto Sherry, Spain and headed towards Punta del Este, the third consecutive Uruguayan city to host the global event.

Currently leading the pack, the team representing Yacht Club Punta del Este is under the spotlight as it sails towards its home port. With a local Skipper at the helm, the crew is determined to maintain their edge throughout the race.

The Clipper Race is an awe-inspiring challenge that draws participants from all walks of life. Doctors, teachers, and tattoo artists race alongside each other in this formidable test of human endurance, battling some of the planet's harshest weather conditions throughout the 40,000nm circumnavigation. Many crew members have no prior sailing experience before undergoing the rigorous, four-stage training required to qualify for the race.

Having completed the first race and shaken off any nerves, the teams are now geared up for the first ocean crossing of the Clipper 2023-24 Race. Race 2, named the 'Hundred Years Cup' to celebrate Yacht Club Punta del Este's centenary, is a 5300nm voyage across the Atlantic with formidable challenges ahead that will put the crews' fortitude to the test.

This is the third consecutive edition the global event has set sail for the Uruguayan city. And with the team flying the flag Yacht Club Punta del Este at the top of the Clipper Race leaderboard, all eyes will be on the home boat, led by a local Skipper, as it sails into the port it represents.

The Clipper Race sees crews from all walks of life take on the immense challenge of racing across the world’s oceans. Doctors race alongside teachers and tattoo artists in this incredible test of human endurance, facing some of the toughest weather conditions the planet can serve up on the 40,000nm circumnavigation. Many crew have no prior sailing experience before completing the rigorous, compulsory four stages of training required to race.

With nerves shaken off, sea-legs found, and competition-mode fully switched on after the first race, the eleven teams are now raring to go and sailing on the first ocean crossing of the Clipper 2023-24 Race.

Race 2 is named the ‘Hundred Years Cup’ in honour of the centenary Yacht Club Punta del Este is celebrating this year. This stage of the Clipper Race is a 5300nm challenge across the Atlantic with intense conditions ahead and will be a real test of fortitude.

Published in Clipper Race

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Clipper Round The World Race

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About the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race

The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is undoubtedly one of the greatest ocean adventures on the planet, also regarded as one of its toughest endurance challenges. Taking almost a year to complete, it consists of eleven teams competing against each other on the world’s largest matched fleet of 70-foot ocean racing yachts.

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. Around 40 per cent of crew are novices and have never sailed before starting a comprehensive training programme ahead of their adventure.

This unique challenge brings together everyone from chief executives to train drivers, nurses and firefighters, farmers, airline pilots and students, from age 18 upwards, to take on Mother Nature’s toughest and most remote conditions. There is no upper age limit, the oldest competitor to date is 76.

Now in its twelfth edition, the Clipper 2019-20 Race started from London, UK, on 02 September 2019.