Countdown to Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race

by Heather Ewing on 1 Jul 2011 The start of the Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race from Southampton is just one month away.

Celebrations to mark the start of the 40,000-mile race around the globe will take place all weekend in Ocean Village, beginning with the arrival of the ten 68-foot yachts on the afternoon of Thursday 28 July and culminating in their departure and parade of sail in Southampton Water on Sunday 31 July.

Tens of thousands of people are expected to visit Southampton over the weekend for the colourful, atmospheric and emotional spectacle. As well as the ten yachts, each named after a city, region or country around the world, the event will include live music, stalls and entertainment and the line up on the main stage will be announced in the coming weeks.

There will be a raft of free, family-friendly entertainment in the race village while the yachts and their crews, ‘people like you’ drawn from all walks of life and representing more than 40 nationalities, make their final preparations before they say goodbye to their loved ones and set sail on the 12-month challenge – the sailing equivalent of climbing Mount Everest.

For the large south coast sailing community the event offers the chance to be a part of the first round the world yacht race to start from the iconic sailing grounds of the Solent since 2004.

The Clipper Race organisers are keen to make the event one that everyone can be a part of and Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, founder and Chairman of the Clipper Race and the first man to sail solo and non-stop around the world, says, 'I am personally very keen to ensure as many local boat owners, crew and general boating enthusiasts as possible have the opportunity to enjoy this event.'

Many are expected to turn out to join the small boat flotilla escorting the race yachts as they pass in formation down Southampton Water and cross the historic Royal Yacht Squadron line at the start of their epic journey around the world.

Clipper Round the World Yacht Race website