Please select your home edition
Edition
Allen Dynamic 40 Leaderboard

Clipper Round the World Yacht Race - Sailing legend seeks French entry

by Marina Thomas on 30 Oct 2014
Sir Robin Knox-Johnston; Open 60; Yacht; Grey Power; Route du Rhum. onEdition http://www.onEdition.com
Sailing legend Sir Robin Knox-Johnston hopes to inspire greater French participation in ocean racing through his entry in the Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe.

Speaking at a press briefing on his Open 60 yacht Grey Power today, ahead of this weekend’s departure from St Malo, the 75-year old British sailor called for more French people to take on the challenge of a lifetime in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, the unique event he conceived in 1995 to enable ‘ordinary’ people to achieve something extraordinary.

'France is a nation of sailors with excellent role models; legends in their own right,' said Sir Robin. 'Yet it has been underrepresented in the Clipper Race so far. Next year will be our tenth edition and I’d love to take this opportunity in the Route du Rhum race village to appeal for more French crew, a skipper and even an entry.'


The biennial event is now the world’s longest ocean race at more than 40,000 miles and offers international ‘Corinthian’ sailors from all walks of life the chance to complete a circumnavigation aboard the matched fleet of twelve identical Clipper 70 yachts.

Nine French sailors are currently signed up to take part in the 2015-16 edition of the Clipper Race, with around 700 places available for people of all ages and backgrounds with a sense of adventure.

There has never been a French-sponsored team or French skipper but Sir Robin hopes to encourage more Frenchmen and women to discover the Clipper Race and take up the challenge.


'I created the Clipper Race so others could experience the exhilaration of ocean racing, as I have been so fortunate to be able to do during my career. We’ve trained more than 3,000 crew over the last 18 years and I’d not only love to see more French crew, but also to have a professional French skipper at the helm of a French sponsored entry would be fantastic,' added Sir Robin.

'I am here in St Malo today, preparing for the Route du Rhum, because of the Clipper Race. Quite frankly I got jealous of waving off our crew as they prepared to race across an ocean or around the world. Then I participated in the Sydney to Hobart last Christmas, which formed part of the last Clipper Race, and recognised how much I missed competitive sailing. So here I am!'

It is the only race in the world where the organisers supply a fleet of twelve identical 70-ft racing yachts, each with a fully qualified skipper to safely guide the crew.

In the Clipper 2013-14 Race, 42 different nationalities were represented, with professions including doctors, lawyers, film directors, truck drivers, vets, sporting professionals, midwives and chefs.


Among nine French sailors taking on Mother Nature’s toughest conditions in next year’s Clipper Race is operations manager Francois Raux who initially played the virtual game and then realised that he could crew the race for real when he linked to the official web site.

No experience is required as crew will be given full race training. Applicants must be a minimum age of 18 to compete, but there is no upper age limit. All that is asked of participants is a good level of fitness and a thirst for adventure into the unknown.

Divided into eight legs and 16 individual races, competitors can choose to complete the full circumnavigation or select individual legs. Ports visited in the 2014-15 race included Rio de Janeiro, Cape Town, Sydney, San Francisco and New York.

To find out more, visit Clipper Round the World
For skipper opportunities, click here
Yacht sponsorship opportunities here

Vaikobi 2024 DecemberSea Sure 2025North Sails Loft 57 Podcast

Related Articles

SP80 kiteboat reaches a top speed of over 58 knots
100 km/h barrier is smashed in Leucate The SP80 kiteboat has reached a top speed of over 58 knots, or 108 km/h. This new personal best makes SP80 the second fastest sailboat ever recorded, behind Vestas Sailrocket II and its 68.01-knot top speed.
Posted today at 10:04 am
Italian SailGP Team acquired by investors
The consortium includes Hollywood royalty, Anne Hathaway SailGP has today announced that the Red Bull Italy SailGP Team, has officially been acquired by a consortium of accomplished investors and sports industry leaders, including Hollywood royalty, Anne Hathaway.
Posted today at 8:53 am
Armstrong Foils: On tour - Home of Armstrong II
Join America's Cup champion, Blair Tuke and Armstrong team riders on the tour of NZ's Far North Join three times America's Cup champion, Blair Tuke and Armstrong team riders Olivia Jenkins, Naumi Eychenne, Bowien van der Linden, Cash Berzolla, and Reo Stevens, on the Home of Armstrong Tour II, as they explore NZ's Far North.
Posted today at 4:46 am
America's Cup entries open on Sunday
A Cup in turmoil - has Grant Dalton dodged a bullet with the new Cup organisation? America's Cup gets underway in Rome with Round 2 of the official welcoming ceremonies on Wednesday in Naples. Emirates Team NZ CEO Grant Dalton apprears to have dodged a bullet with the formation of of new AC organising body.
Posted on 26 May
Italian PM welcomes America's Cup in Rome
Prime Minister Meloni set out a bold vision for the regeneration planned around AC38 The magnificent setting of the Casino del Bel Respiro, commissioned by Pope Innocent X in 1644, in the grounds of Villa Pamphilj, was the outstanding and historic setting for the formal presentation of the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup.
Posted on 26 May
Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta preview
Sørvind to debut at this edition, in Sardinia The Mediterranean superyacht racing season will kick off on 27th May with the Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta, organised annually by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda since 2008 and supported by title sponsor Giorgio Armani since 2022.
Posted on 26 May
Winning Sails for Every Sailor & Every Program
Beer cans or the big leagues, North Sails perform From one design sails to custom inventories, trust the experts at North Sails to elevate your performance.
Posted on 25 May
72nd Melbourne to Apollo Bay Race overall
MRV stifles Ambition to take line honours and overall win Margaret Rintoul V (MRV), skippered by Damien King from the Sandringham Yacht Club (SYC), has sailed a fast and furious race to win the 72nd Melbourne to Apollo Bay Race (M2AB).
Posted on 25 May
The link between two great Australian sports
A unique connection between brute strength and beauty James Joseph Giltinan was one of Australia's great entrepreneurs of the early 1900s, and the man most responsible for creating a unique link between one of the most confrontational football codes in the world and the beauty of sailing.
Posted on 25 May
Records smashed at SCIBS 2025
Officially the Largest Ever Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show Massive crowds enjoyed a spectacular 36th Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show with a record number of boats delivering an unsurpassed display of marine innovation, luxury and lifestyle.
Posted on 25 May