The Clipper Race has revealed Portsmouth will be the location for the Race Start and Finish of its 2023-24 edition. Five days of festivities, beginning 30 August 2023, are planned for Gunwharf Quays, the neighbouring harbour of the sailing company’s operations for almost 20 years.
The only event which trains people from all walks of life to become ocean racers, the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race will see its fleet depart from Gunwharf Quays on 3 September. A Solent spectacular is planned for Clipper Race crew as they commence the 40,000 nautical miles circumnavigation, a feat that will take eleven months to complete.
In collaboration with Gunwharf Quays and the wider Portsmouth city, the adventure business is hoping to make this the biggest launch event in its history. Local sailing clubs, organisations and boat owners are being invited to join the bon voyage flotilla out on the Solent. This stage of the event will wave off the hundreds of sailors who will face the intense conditions of six ocean crossings. Tickets for spectator boats will be available to buy in advance of the event, offering a chance to get out on the water and up close to the action, when the race starts mid afternoon on 3 September.
Says Laura Ayres, Clipper Ventures Managing Director: “Portsmouth is our neighbour and the Solent the honorary home of our international Race Crew when they come to our training base. This is the first time in over 20 years that we have held our Race Start and Finish in Portsmouth. By partnering with Gunwharf Quays, we can create five days of celebration fitting of the incredible challenge our courageous crew are setting out to achieve.
The Clipper Race Start Festival will open to the public on 30 August. Its event programme has been developed to involve and inspire the community. And with participants of the global sailing race hailing from 68 countries, this will be an international event filled with live music and food. The event will also engage with local community groups with educational activities being planned from 30 August to 1 September.
At the heart of the festival will be the opportunity to meet some of the 700 Race Crew who have trained to take part in this challenge and hear the inspiring stories from past crew. There will also be the opportunity to get on board a Clipper 70 – an ocean racing yacht which will be home to the sailors for up to a month at a time. Visitors can also experience a motor tour on a Clipper Race Training yacht which locals will recognise as a frequent sight on the Solent throughout the year.
The full Clipper Race Start Festival programme will launch during the summer, along with the chance to book a place on one of the spectator boats that will get up close to the action.
Follow @clipperrace on Instagram or @clipperroundtheworld on Facebook for all the up to the minute event information.
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