Waterway Guide | Clipper Race Now Abeam of San Francisco

Clipper Race Now Abeam of San Francisco

Date Posted: May 8, 2024

Source: Ed Tillett, Editor-in-Chief

*Clipper Race Boats Leaving Seattle, WA on May 3, 2024*

At 7,200 miles Leg 7 of the Clipper Round the World Race is headed down the west coast of the United States, through Panama, and north along the Atlantic coast, Chesapeake Bay, and up the Potomac River to Washington, DC. Following a week of crew changes, recharging, and awards ceremonies in Seattle, WA, the eleven boats are now back in competition.

Next Stop - The Nation's Capital

DC is a host port and sponsor of one of the Clipper boats. Since September 2023, eleven clipper yachts led by crews from around the world have raced to Spain, Uruguay, South Africa, Australia, Vietnam, China and Seattle. The next stop will be Washington, DC, arriving in advance of the weekend of June 21-22, 2024.

"Washington, DC is a world-class destination, and it is an honor for our city to be the start of the eighth and last leg of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race for the very first time," said Events DC President and CEO Angie M Gates. "As the fleet finishes the seventh leg of the journey, these yachts and their crew will dock in the city and enjoy our waterfronts, rest in our hotels, dine in our restaurants, and relish all that DC has to offer. Events DC is proud to sponsor a Clipper 70 Yacht in the race and will cheer on our Washington, DC team as the crew circumnavigates the globe, demonstrating their skill and steadfastness."

There are several scoring gates and ocean sprints during this leg and points are being accrued along the way. The race will culminate in Portsmouth, United Kingdom in August 2024 at the end of Leg 8.

Smith Island Cake for the Crew

Preparing the crew of the Washington, DC Clipper yacht for the tradition and hospitality of Chesapeake Bay and Washington, DC, a special delivery was made to them last week after they docked in Seattle. Smith Island Baking Company sent a cake to the crew in recognition of the nautical heritage of Smith Island watermen and their families. The Smith Island cake was delivered via United Parcel Service gratis to the waterfront to celebrate Clipper DC's arrival. The revered cake, world renowned for its delicate and delightful taste, did not last long (Video). The Clipper boats will turn west up the Potomac River next month on their journey to DC and pass Smith Island on their starboard side, plying the same water worked by oystermen, crabbers, and fishermen since the settling of the Island in the 1600s.

Mark Your Calendar

Aligning with Events DC, Oasis Marinas, and the Clipper Race, Waterway Guide Media is extending an open invitation to all to visit while the boats are at The Wharf. Plans are still being finalized for the DC stopover, but in line with previous host ports the excitement and access to boats, crews, and events is not to be missed.

Hannah Brewis is skipper of the Washington, DC boat. This is her second circumnavigation, and she has highlighted the teamwork and camaraderie of the Clipper race as her primary inspiration. Although the competition is on every skipper's mind, what she really hopes to get out of it is an amazing experience, a story for everyone to remember and pass on to future generations.

*Ella Hebron and Hannah Brewis in Seattle, WA*

The winner of the Leg 6 Media Prize was shared. The first winner to be announced was Hannah Brewis, Skipper of Washington, DC. Hannah made a one-second-per-day in the North Pacific video, all shot from the vantage point of the port side helm. The second winner was Lorenzo Gaudenzi Morandi on PSP Logistics for a video of life at sea, with narration on the highlights and challenges of taking on the Clipper Race.

A skipper's job involves much more than top notch sailing skills. She also has to be a leader, a teambuilder, and a problem solver to motivate the crew, with their varied backgrounds and levels of experience, and instill both calm and confidence in the face of some very challenging conditions. Victory is the goal for every skipper. But careful safety protocols and the competence of a team that has trained and learned to trust each other is the means to that end.

The Clipper race has consistently attracted women and men to compete as equals in the tough world of ocean racing. In this year's edition, almost 200 women from 26 different countries are on board. There are more women under age 50 participating than men in the same age bracket. In its history, over 1,500 women have paused their roles as professionals, students, and family members to grasp the challenge of this grueling competition.

Consider this your invitation to spend an afternoon or a weekend on Washington's waterfront as Waterway Guide Media, Events DC, and the Clipper Round the World Race celebrate the achievements and commitment of participants, sponsors, and crews. Mark your calendar for mid-June and follow the race and schedule here.