Clippers Return to Portsmouth Greeted by UK’s Largest Steamship S.S. Sheildhall

28th July 2026

Jehan Ashmore

The UK’s largest working steamship, S.S. Shieldhall, escorted a spectacular ‘Parade of Sail’ for the fleet of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race returning to Portsmouth. The busy UK port is also the main base of the Royal Navy, along with ferries serving the Isle of Wight, the Channel Islands, France, and Spain. Credit: Steamship Shieldhall Charity

A truly memorable day as the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race returned to Portsmouth on Saturday with the preserved operational steamship S.S. Shieldhall escorting the fleet home.

The spectacular Parade of Sail at the UK south coast port follows an extraordinary 47,000-mile circumnavigation of the globe as the Clipper fleet returned to Portsmouth. almost eleven months at sea.

Meeting the fleet off the Solent Forts, Shieldhall proudly led the returning yachts into Portsmouth Harbour with a wonderful display of yachts.

Guests on board enjoyed an unrivalled view of the emotional homecoming as the crews crossed the finish line of one of the world's toughest endurance challenges. The celebrations were made even more spectacular by water cannon displays from accompanying tugs as the fleet entered the harbour.

Shieldhall Chairman Martin Phipps said, "Huge congratulations to every skipper and crew member. Completing a race of this scale is an incredible achievement, demanding determination, teamwork, and resilience over thousands of miles at sea. We on Shieldhall were honoured to play our part in welcoming everyone home and celebrating this remarkable achievement. Congratulations to all involved."

Following the Parade of Sail, passengers remained in Portsmouth to enjoy the thrilling action of SailGP, watching the world's fastest racing yachts compete on the Solent before Shieldhall steamed to its neighbouring homeport of Southampton.

Published in Clipper Race

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Jehan Ashmore

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Jehan Ashmore is a marine correspondent, researcher and photographer, specialising in Irish ports, shipping and the ferry sector serving the UK and directly to mainland Europe. Jehan also occasionally writes a column, 'Maritime' Dalkey for the (Dalkey Community Council Newsletter) in addition to contributing to UK marine periodicals.

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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.