Clipper Race Returns: Round the World Yacht Race gears up for Liverpool Homecoming
by Kathryn Foulkes 19 Jul 2018 22:22 NZST
Clipper Race fleet © onEdition
Excitement is building with just over one week remaining until the Clipper 2017-18 Round the World Yacht Race returns to Liverpool on Saturday 28 July, eleven-months after this unique voyage set sail.
The Clipper Race is one of the biggest challenges of the natural world and an endurance test like no other. With no previous sailing experience necessary, it's the only event on the planet which trains non-professional sailors to complete a 40,000 nautical mile race through some of Mother Nature's toughest and most remote conditions, with each team guided by a professional Skipper.
The Clipper Race start attracted over 220,000 people to see the eleven teams, which includes Liverpool 2018, off last August, and it's expected that many more will return to the riverside to join family and friends as they welcome their courageous crew back to the city for their triumphant homecoming moment.
Spectators will be able to watch a thrilling sprint to the finish, which is likely to be instrumental in affecting final team results, as teams will race up the River Mersey to the Royal Albert Dock Liverpool entrance which will mark the finish point in this 40,000 nautical mile race which has taken eleven months to complete.
Neil Stafford, 35, from Altrincham, Cheshire, has been flying the flag for Liverpool on board the city team yacht, Liverpool 2018. As he prepares for the final race of the entire circumnavigation, he says: "I feel excited to be heading home getting to see family and friends after such a long time. It will be special, as will the sense of achievement knowing I will have sailed round world, I just don't think it has sunk in yet what we will have achieved!"
Since leaving Liverpool on 20 August last year teams have raced to twelve different destinations across six continents. They've experienced everything from the challenge of the windless doldrums whilst crossing the Atlantic to storms, which have including hurricane force winds and waves over 14 meters high in the North Pacific, and temperatures from bitter cold in the Southern Ocean to searing heat across the equator. The route has seen the fleet visit; Punta del Este – Uruguay, Cape Town – South Africa, Fremantle, Sydney, Hobart and The Whitsundays – Australia, Sanya and Qingdao – China, Seattle – USA, Panama, New York – USA and Derry-Londonderry, Northern Ireland.
Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Culture, Tourism and Events, Councillor Wendy Simon, said: "I'm sure all those involved in this incredible maritime sporting feat have their sights firmly set on the finish line, and there is a huge amount of anticipation and excitement around their arrival on Saturday morning.
"I encourage as many people as possible to head to the waterfront to give the vessels and their crews a warm Liverpool welcome and congratulate them on the mammoth adventure they have undertaken for the past 11 months.
"It will be a great family day out with a programme of performances and activities taking place at the Royal Albert Dock Liverpool which includes live music, street theatre, arts and crafts, all in celebration of this inspirational global event."
Sue Grindrod, chief executive, Royal Albert Dock Liverpool, said: "The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race start was a spectacular event here at Albert Dock last summer and without doubt one of our highlights of 2017! It will be amazing to see our visitors, from locals and race enthusiasts to the families and friends of the international crews involved, gather at the Dock and really enjoy the yachts and the electric atmosphere.
"We look forward to giving the yachtsmen and women a warm Royal Albert Dock Liverpool welcome when they return next month after an incredible year-long journey."
Race 13, the final stage of the Clipper 2017-18 Race departs for Liverpool from Derry-Londonderry on Sunday 22 July, during which it will be decided which of the three leading teams, either Sanya Serenity Coast, Visit Seattle or Qingdao, will arrive into Liverpool as the overall race winners.
A program of free public events including the Clipper Race Village, Prize Giving, free open boat tours and more will run from Thursday 26 July through to Sunday 05 August.