1. Surf’s up
The full exhilaration of ocean racing is felt as Visit Finland, an entry in
the Clipper 2011-12 Race, surfs down a wave at 27 knots.
Heading toward the Race 9 finish line, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Finnish
team experienced a huge surf after crossing the Pacific Ocean spending 30
days at sea in the race from Qingdao, China, to Oakland, San Francisco Bay.
The Pacific Leg is one of the toughest and most testing for amateur crews who
spend over a month at sea in extreme conditions, crossing the International
Date Line in the process.
2. Pushed to the edge of your limits
Sailing legend and Clipper Race Founder and Chairman Sir Robin Knox-Johnston
reveals his favourite leg of the Clipper Race: The Pacific Ocean. Leg 6 sees
the world’s longest yacht race cross the planet’s largest ocean with crew
members spending a month at sea. 27-metre waves run from horizon to horizon.
“It is a challenge that very few people undertake. The constant demands of the
boat and big and awesome waves mean people are pushed to their limits,” says
Knox-Johnston.
Qingdao, the Chinese entry in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, is hit
by a huge wave throwing crew members across the deck and ruining the evening
meal. Crew member Kevin Luke attempts to clean up after the evening meal
ends up all over the galley.
No crew members were hurt during the incident, although some had to wait a
little longer for dinner.
4. Stormy sailing
From people dangling up the rigging to waves engulfing the cockpit, watch the
Clipper Race amateur crew members taking on some of the most extreme sailing
conditions on the planet.
“Experiencing Mother Nature at her rawest is not to be dismissed lightly,”
says Sir Robin Knox-Johnston. “You will never conquer or master the ocean
but you can endure it. If the naive thought of you beating Mother Nature
enters your mind that will be your first mistake. She is an unforgiving
mistress, always with one last trick up her sleeve for when you least expect
it, whether it is an unexpected squall or a week’s worth of unrelenting
Pacific rollers.”
5. The extreme Southern Ocean
Winners of the Clipper 2011-12 Round the World Yacht Race Gold Coast Australia
battle through the Southern Ocean while racing from Cape Town to Geraldton,
Western Australia.
The Leg is known as the ‘Southern Ocean sleigh ride’ and large swells and
chilly conditions are common.
“After the race, we do see this magic change in people and that’s something
that only happens after experiencing nature in its rawest form,” says Sir
Robin Knox-Johnston.
6. A life-changing experience
Nik Brbora, a 29-year-old software engineer based in London, UK, had never
done any sailing before he took part on board Geraldton Western Australia in
the 2011-12 race, completing the full circumnavigation. His boat was hit by
a very large wave in the Pacific Ocean and he had to be rescued by the US
Coast Guard before re-joining the race in San Francisco.
He says his outlook on life has changed and he wants to do more adventurous
things. “The highlight of the race was probably our first big storm in the
Southern Ocean,” he says. “I remember climbing up the mast to get the sails
down and you could just see this awesome force of nature – the grey sky, the
really big waves and the strong wind. It’s probably not a sight that many
people in the world will ever see. A scary and very tough moment but one
that I’ll never forget,” adds Nik.
7. On Watch
Here’s when the Welcome to Yorkshire boat faced rough conditions during the
Clipper 2011-12 Round the World Yacht Race. Race 2 saw the teams race from
Madeira, Portugal, to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The crew battle sail changes in rough, wet and cold conditions and operate a
24/7, four-hour on, four-hour off watch system, with crew resting and eating
in between their on-deck duties helming, trimming and changing the sails,
carrying out navigation and planning tactics.
8. A Great Endeavour
The logistics of getting a 70-ft yacht in to Trafalgar Square in August are
difficult. Follow the journey of the Great Britain yacht – due to take part
as one of 12 boats in the 2013-14 race – from the Hamble to a convoy on the
M25 where she had a six-strong police motorbike escort as well as Land
Rovers and pilot vehicles. She passed Big Ben and Westminster before a team
of more than 50 workers helped construct her home in front of the National
Gallery and Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar Square. More than 100,000 people
saw her during her five-day stay in London.
9. Tied up
The OneDLL team of novice sailors competing in the 2013-14 edition of the
Clipper Round the World Yacht Race set a new Guinness World Record for tying
the longest single chain of reef knots whilst fundraising for the race’s
official charity, the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust. Clipper Race chairman
and founder, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston introduces the reef knot, a simple knot
used for reducing the size of the sail in strong winds.
10. Clipper outtakes
Here are some thrills and spills from the 2009-10 race. Witness the more
bizarre side of the race, and have an insight into the personalities of
those involved. Drinking competitions, fancy dress and intimate sleeping
quarters, as well as many slips and slides, are highlighted.