Clipper 2015-16 Round the World Yacht Race returns to London

by Julia Fry on 21 Jul 2016 Clipper Round the World Race – After an epic 40,000 nautical mile, eleven month journey, the twelve amateur teams competing in the world’s longest ocean race, including 170 Brits (54 from London) will return to St Katharine Docks on Saturday 30 July, to a spectacular welcome ceremony.

This is no ordinary yacht race. 40 percent of Clipper Race crew have no previous sailing experience when they sign up to take on the challenge. This is where teachers, firemen, nurses, students, landscape gardeners, engineers, CEOs and many, many more, join together to take on one of the toughest endurance challenges on the planet.

Throughout their almost year-long journey, which fewer people have completed than have climbed Mt Everest, teams have encountered the extremes of Mother Nature. From tropical storms and hurricane force winds, to searing heat and chilly conditions, crew have sailed under clear starry nights, and witnessed the most incredible sunsets and sighted wildlife in some of the planet’s most remote locations.

Established by legendary sailor Sir Robin Knox-Johnston to allow anyone, regardless of previous sailing experience, the chance to experience the thrill of ocean racing, the Clipper 2015-16 Race is the event’s tenth edition.

Since leaving London last August, the fleet has visited Rio de Janeiro, Cape Town, Albany (Western Australia), Sydney, Airlie Beach (the Whitsundays), Da Nang (Vietnam), Qingdao (China), Seattle, Panama, New York, Derry-Londonderry, and Den Helder (the Netherlands).

Schedule:

The fleet will finish the race off Southend Pier, Southend that morning between 0000 and 0400.

07:19 Fleet arrives at the QE2 Bridge at Dartford
08.48 Thames Barrier
09.01 Fleet passes the Millennium Dome
09.12 Fleet passes Greenwich Observatory
09.30 Fleet passes Canary Wharf Pier
09.45 Fleet arrives at Tower Bridge
10.40 Fleet enters St Katharine Docks after a parade of sail under Tower Bridge
10:40 to 12:30 Interviews with crew members as they arrive back to London
12:45 to 14:15 Prize-Giving Ceremony