- The Clipper Race is the biggest round-the-world ocean race, and is also regarded as one of the toughest endurance challenges on the planet.
- At 40,000 nautical miles long and taking almost a year to complete, it consists of twelve teams competing against each other on the world’s largest matched fleet of 70-foot ocean racing yachts.
- 712 crew, representing 41 different nationalities are signed up to compete in the Clipper 2017-2018 Race, making this edition the biggest event to date. Crew can choose to take part in either the entire race or one or more of its eight legs.
- The Clipper 2017-2018 race set sail on Sunday 20 August from Liverpool’s Albert Dock, and this will be the event’s eleventh edition. It will return to Liverpool on Saturday 28 July 2018.
- The 2017-18 edition will be the fourth time the Clipper Race route has visited Liverpool, making it the most frequented Clipper Race stopover port.
- The Clipper Race last visited Liverpool a decade ago during the 2007-08 edition.
- The Clipper Race was established in 1996 by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first person to sail solo non-stop around the world in 1968-69. His aim was to allow anyone, regardless of previous sailing experience, the chance to embrace the thrill of ocean racing.
- 40 per cent of crew are novices and have never sailed before starting a comprehensive training programme ahead of their adventure. It is the only event of its kind for amateur sailors.
- There is (thankfully!!) no upper age limit, the oldest competitor to date was 74. Crew must be over 18 before starting the race.
- This unique challenge brings together everyone from chief executives to taxi drivers, nurses and firemen, farmers, Olympians, airline pilots and students.
- The Official Race Charity is UNICEF, who have been gifted a team yacht entry for the 2017-18 edition. During the 2015-16 edition, supporters and Clipper Race Partners raised over £323,000 for the charity. For the 2017-18 edition there is a £400,000 target.
- The overall route is split into a series of 13 races and points are awarded for each race. The team with the highest cumulative points at the end of the final race wins the series, and the Clipper Race trophy.
- The Clipper 2017-18 Race will visit Liverpool, Punta del Este (Uruguay), Cape Town (South Africa), Freemantle (Western Australia), Sydney (New South Wales), Hobart (Tasmania), The Whitsunday’s (Queensland), Sanya (china), Qingdao (China), Seattle (USA), the Panama canal (Panama), New York (USA), Derry-Londonderry (Northern Ireland and then return to Liverpool. The route for 2019-2020 is not yet published.
2. Clipper 2017-2018 Race Facts
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Pretty Much All At Sea 
Being a landlubber without sea-legs, rather you than me but I admire your courage, determination and sense of adventure. Look forward to reading more as you go along. All the best. Donna
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Thanks Donna, watch this space as the saying goes. And thanks for hitting the “follow” button, much appreciated.
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