Please select your home edition
Edition
Festival of Sails 2025

Battening down the hatches as Clipper Race postpones Australian departure due to incoming cyclone

by Clipper Round the World Race 22 Jan 18:31 PST
The eleven Clipper Race yachts prepared for the incoming cyclone © Clipper Ventures

The next Leg of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race has been postponed as a tropical cyclone makes its way towards the Queensland coast.

The fleet of eleven racing yachts has been enjoying a stopover in Airlie Beach as part of its 40,000nm circumnavigation. However, the next stage of the event (Race 7), which was due to start yesterday (Monday 22), has been put on hold as the serious storm enroute would make the conditions too dangerous for the fleet to depart.

Now Skippers, First Mates and over 200 Race Crew have spent the past 48hrs battening down the hatches on the yachts in preparation, making sure that necessary measures are in place to secure the boats safely.

Even in the safety of the marina the storm threatens to put a lot of pressure onto the boats so preparations have included doubling up lines, staggering the boats so that when they start to roll around in the wind, the masts don't bump into each other and cause damage, lashing the boom down on the deck, and making sure all the movable parts are secured or stowed well below deck.

Clipper Race Director Mark Light said: "What we do know is that there's a cyclone in the vicinity that is developing offshore from the Coral Sea Marina and it is looking likely that this will make landfall around the 24th of January. On the basis of that we have our plan in place for a four-day delay departing from Airlie Beach."

The Clipper Race Office continues to monitor the storm closely as plans for the fleet to depart on Friday (26 January) will be modified with any significant developments.

Related Articles

Clipper Race Skipper: The toughest job in sailing
Requiring five months of intensive preparation Tasked with leading a crew of up to 22 adventure-seekers around the world, the role of a Clipper Race Skipper is one of the most demanding leadership positions in the industry. Posted on 21 Nov
Hyde Sails returns as an Official Supplier
For the Clipper 2025-26 Race Hyde Sails is set to supply the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race fleet for an eighth edition, with this partnership adding another chapter to this longstanding collaboration. Posted on 19 Nov
Meet the Clipper 2025-26 Race crew: Sara Brewer
“I think there's an adventurer in all of us.” Bristol born Sara Brewer, 68, has worked in London as a PA for the chairman of an international bank for almost her entire working career. Posted on 2 Nov
Second ever Knox-Johnston Cup a huge success
Over 100 guests take part in a weekend of big-boat racing in the Solent Last weekend saw the second edition of the Knox-Johnston Cup take place, with over 100 guests taking part in a weekend of big-boat racing in the Solent. Posted on 9 Oct
Genova to partner with Clipper Race
Offering young Italians chance to race across oceans The Italian city of Genova is partnering with the Clipper Race for the very first time whilst also offering young Italians the chance to race in an adventure of a lifetime. Posted on 26 Sep
Clipper Round the World to visit Korea
It will be the first time a round the world sailing event has made a stop in Korea Tongyeong in South-East Korea has been announced today as a Host Port on the Clipper 2025-26 Race global route. The new collaboration between Clipper Ventures and the Gyeongnam Province is set to be a landmark partnership. Posted on 24 Sep
Champions of Clipper Round the World Race crowned
Grand Finale ceremony at Gunwharf Quays Eleven months of grueling ocean racing have come to an end as Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam was named champion of the 2023-24 edition of the Clipper Race. Posted on 2 Aug
Queenslander returns from the Clipper Race
31 Australians competed in stages across the Clipper 2023-24 Race Dr Dianne Mcgrath, a 55-year-old sustainability expert from Maroochydore, Queensland, has raced into Portsmouth, UK, after circumnavigating the world with the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. Posted on 30 Jul
Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam wins overall
In the Clipper 2023-24 Round the World Yacht Race Today the Clipper 2023-24 Round the World Yacht Race drew to a close at the Grand Finale at Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth, where the Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam proudly sailed in as Clipper Race champions! Posted on 27 Jul
Final stage of Clipper 2023-24 Race underway
The fourteenth and final race departs from Oban, Scotland The fourteenth and final race of the epic 40,000nm Clipper 2023-24 Round the World Yacht Race got under way at 1500 LT, from Oban, Scotland today, 21 July. Posted on 21 Jul
Doyle_SailWorld_728X90px-03 BOTTOMSOUTHERN-SPARS-MISSY-FURLING-BOOMS-728-X-90 BottomSavvy Navvy 2024