Waterway Guide | Clipper Round the World Race Wrap Up

Clipper Round the World Race Wrap Up

Date Posted: August 13, 2024

Source: Staff Report

Nobody would expect a down-to-the-wire finish in a race that circumnavigates the globe, but that's exactly what happened at the end of Clipper Round the World. As eleven yachts and crews, who had all performed admirably as they vied for positions and points, raced to the finish line in Portsmouth, England, weather had the last say in the final outcome.

The final race — Race 14: The Homecoming — departed July 21st from Port Oban on the West Coast of Scotland and raced down the west of Ireland, south around Lands' End, and into the English Channel back to home port in Portsmouth.

Race 14 was supposed to include a final sprint to Portsmouth beginning at 10:00 Saturday, July 27th but, due to a forecast of easing winds conflicting with progress towards Grand Finale events planned for that same day, the sprint was canceled. The Clipper Race Committee assessed the conditions and determined the best option was to apply a time limit on racing.

Subsequent to this announcement, all crews were asked to send in their exact positions, including a photograph clearly showing their GPS position and the time (in UTC) for verification. Respective measurements would be taken from their position to a given waypoint at Mark No. 14, Virtual Mark South-East Wight. All measurements would be calculated by the Clipper Race Director using TimeZero software for consistency, and Race 14 finishing positions would be awarded based on the shortest measured distances to Mark No. 14. After 18:00 UTC teams would officially cease racing.

With new criteria established, overall finishing positions would be based on the results of Race 14 and its time limit. Vying for the top spot, Perseverance took an early and significant lead, but Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam climbed from 8th to 5th place in the last 12 hours, culminating in a one-point lead over Perseverance. Thus Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam earned first place overall and won the coveted Clipper Race trophy.

Tens of thousands of fans and supporters welcomed the crews as eleven yachts paraded into the Solent and Gunwharf Quays, ending their circumnavigation and beginning the celebrations. Sir Robin Knox-Johnston announced the race winner at a celebratory dinner, followed by a live phone call with Skipper Bob Beggs representing the triumphant Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam. With music, pyrotechnics, cheers and fanfare, the Grand Finale celebrated the end of the race. At the prizegiving ceremony, each team was welcomed to the stage for the last time, ending with Bob Beggs and his able crew hoisting the Clipper Race trophy in victory. Crew members experienced mixed emotions, succeeding in navigating around the world and safely concluding their adventure, at the same time realizing their time on board was over. The memories and the friendships and bonds they had formed will undoubtedly persist.