Please select your home edition
Edition
Sea Sure 2025

Clipper Race set to make fourth return to The Whitsundays as part 2023-24 global route

by Coral Sea Marina 18 Aug 2023 00:00 PDT
Clipper Race Whitsundays Parade of Sail © Phill Gordon

Making its fourth appearance on the global race route, Airlie Beach in The Whitsundays will once again welcome the eleven-strong fleet of Clipper Race yachts in January 2024.

Known to be one of the toughest endurance challenges on the planet, the Clipper Race welcomes people from diverse walks of life from all around the world to become ocean racing sailors. Battling through the most extreme conditions, and facing whatever Mother Nature throws their way, it is a true test of determination to the finish line.

Crew can either take on the challenge of the full 40,000nm circumnavigation or choose one or multiple legs of the epic adventure.

Airlie Beach will feature on the fourth stage of the event's circumnavigation which starts from Portsmouth, UK on 3 September 2023.

After visiting Puerto Sherry, Spain, Punta Del Este, Uruguay and Cape Town, South Africa, the fleet will head to Australia. Making their first stop in Fremantle, teams will then travel to Newcastle, New South Wales before heading upwards to make their final Australian stop in Airlie Beach. Here they will enjoy the crystal-clear waters and breathtaking scenery of The Whitsunday Islands and enjoy the rest and recuperation before the next Leg begins.

Joscelyn O'Keefe, Head of Marketing and Business Development at Host Port, Coral Sea Marina Resort said "Following the positive economic impact of its previous visits, we are delighted to once again be Host Port for the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. Having the opportunity to further promote our region as a leading sailing destination in the Southern Hemisphere is one which we couldn't pass up.

"This will be the fourth time the Clipper Race fleet has been welcomed to Coral Sea Marina Resort and the team here are very much looking forward to the buzz the race fleet creates at the marina and throughout Airlie Beach during their stay.

"We will be working closely with the Clipper Race team to find ways to engage the community with the race and make this another memorable stopover for the race crews and their supporters."

Mark Light, Race Director at Clipper Ventures, said "We are really happy that our Clipper Race fleet will be visiting three different locations in Australia on Leg 4 of the Clipper 2023-24 Race edition.

"Race Crew will embark on the second race of Leg 4 where they will head further north and up the Australian East coast to the warmer airs, azure blue waters and be able to take in the beauty of The Whitsundays and Airlie Beach. This will be the fourth time that the Clipper Race has visited The Whitsundays and our crews will have an incredible time in such a stunning location."

While hosted at the Coral Sea Marina Resort, crew will be provided with the perfect base to explore the stunning landscapes of the local area as they take a few days here to unwind and enjoy the many hidden gems.

29 Australian crew members aged between 22 and 69 will be joining the adventure of a lifetime. Eight of the Australian crew will sail into the Host Port at Airlie Beach at the end of Leg 4, and a further six crew will sail out as they embark on Leg 5 of the race.

Australian crew who will visit Airlie Beach as part of their Clipper Race are:

  • Chris Carroll, 40, Engineer, NSW, Leg 5
  • Bronwen Crosby, 53, Change Manager, NSW, Leg 5
  • Martyn Dwyer, 50 Orthopedic Rep, Queensland, Leg 5
  • Ralph Gunkelman, 48 Orthopaedic Surgeon, NSW, Leg 4
  • Lisa Jude, 44, Senior Commercial Manager, NSW, Leg 4 & 5
  • Lawrence Markham, 69, Migration Consultant, South Australia, Leg 4
  • Alan Mccubbin, 41, IT Manager, NSW, Leg 5 & 7
  • Wayne Sutcliffe, 48, Materials Handling Engineer, Queensland, Leg 4
  • Tim Thomas, 57, Business Owner, Living in Canada, Leg 4
  • Graham Trusswell, 65, Medi Doc, NSW, Leg 5
  • Tim Turpin, 59, Semi-Retired, NSW, Leg 4
  • Clare Warburton, 63, Marketing, Living in London, Leg 4
  • Richard Wonders, 62, Retired, NSW, Leg 4

Related Articles

Rolex Fastnet Race: IRC Two Preview
With 73 entries in IRC Two, the Rolex Fastnet Race is set to deliver a striking display. Could two new JPK 1050s upset the apple cart in IRC Two? Jean-Pierre Kelbert has a habit of breaking the mould in IRC racing, and his new 34-footer may well be a game changer in this competitive division with 73 entries. Posted today at 10:36 am
Dragon Edinburgh Cup in Torbay overall
Tight Racing and Tactical Brilliance The final day of the 2025 Edinburgh Cup brought sunshine, shifting breeze, and two exciting races that kept the championship wide open until the very last run. Posted today at 8:13 am
Seldén Rodkicker 50 - manual rigid vang
Specifically sized for yachts between 50 and 55 feet A Rodkicker rigid vang is designed to enhance sail handling during reefing and allows for greater sail trim control. Posted today at 8:00 am
WASZP Games 2025: Talent & fun descend on Weymouth
Poised to be the largest and most competitive in the class's history The 2025 International WASZP Games, set to take place from July 19–25 at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy, are poised to be the largest and most competitive in the class's history. Posted today at 7:23 am
Transpac 2025 Update: Moon River Tonight!
The magic of offshore racing in the 2025 Transpac A vast ocean separates Los Angeles, California, from Honolulu, Hawaii, but the boats racing in this year's Transpac have now crossed the halfway mark. Race leaders are in the tradewinds and making their approach to the Aloha State. Posted today at 12:26 am
20 Canadians set for Long Beach Grand Slam Event
The Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta will be held July 12-20 20 Canadian sailors will take part in the fourth and next-to-last event of the 2025 Sailing Grand Slam Series, the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta, to be held July 12-20 at one of the two Olympic venues for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. Posted on 10 Jul
All smiles among first finishers of the AEGEAN 600
The fastest teams crossed the finish line today at Cape Sounion As the fastest teams crossed the finish line today at Cape Sounion and made their way to the harbour at Olympic Marine, there were exhausted smiles all around. Posted on 10 Jul
British Classic Week day 4
It was a classic Solent day in Cowes for the OneSails inshore race It was a classic Solent day in Cowes for day 4 of British Classic Week with hot temperatures, sunshine and no breeze in the morning before the sea breeze kicked in from the west and it was time to go racing. Posted on 10 Jul
iQFOiL Worlds a Aarhus day 5
Finalists locked in for new Medal Series format With the sea breeze stubbornly refusing to make an appearance, Day 5 of the iQFOiL World Championship turned into a long waiting game both ashore and on the water. Posted on 10 Jul
Jazz Turner Video Interview
How she Faced Everything And Rose during Project FEAR I travelled to Brighton Marina to catch up with Jazz, talking about her own sailing, the challenges she faced during the circumnavigation, how the money raised will be used, and a glimpse of her future projects! Posted on 10 Jul
Zhik 2024 DecemberHenri-Lloyd Dynamic RangeMaritimo M75