Clipper RX: New 12‑Yacht Design Unveiled for Round‑World Race

15th January 2026

Afloat.ie Team

Clipper RX new ocean racing yacht at design reveal Credit: Clipper

The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race has unveiled the Clipper RX, a new 72‑foot ocean racing yacht design. The design is based on 30 years of race experience and feedback from more than 7,000 past crew members. A 12‑yacht fleet will be built for the 15th edition of the biennial race, due to start in late summer 2027.

Clipper Race co‑founder and chairman Sir Robin Knox‑Johnston, who will be Ireland in February, led the project with British naval architects Nigel Irens, FISH Marine Design | Composites (MDC) and M2ED.

The Clipper RX evolves three previous yacht generations that have circumnavigated the globe 14 times, covering over five million nautical miles. Sir Robin said the design “benefits from everything we’ve learned” and will offer a “safe yet exhilarating experience”.

The Clipper RX features a dreadnought bow, a wider foredeck and deck cuddies for improved crew protection and safer sail changes. Transom‑hung rudders are fitted with break‑away fuses to reduce damage if they hit debris at speed.

Sir Robin will present the Clipper RX to the public at Boot Düsseldorf 2026 on Sunday, 18 January at 14.30 CET. Further information will be available at the Clipper Race stand C23 in Hall 15 throughout the show, from 17–25 January.

The hulls for the 12‑strong fleet are being built in Qingdao, China, and will be shipped to the UK later this year.

Clipper Ventures CEO William Ward OBE said the new fleet reflects decades of development and global participation.

FISH MDC Managing Director Peter Murphy described the Clipper RX as “exceptionally capable, robust, and well‑suited” to round‑the‑world racing. Nigel Irens said the design “embraces new thinking” in hull form and enhances both safety and performance. Major components are sourced internationally, including keels by Cornwall’s Irons Brothers and sails from Hyde Sails.

The 14th edition of the current Clipper Race is now on stopover in Airlie Beach, Queensland, before heading to Qingdao, China.

Details on how to race the Clipper RX are available at clipperroundtheworld.com.

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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.