Posted by The Clipper Round the World Yacht 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; it is the only event of its kind for amateur sailors.
Held biennially, the 2019-20 Clipper Race got underway September 1 for the fleet of eleven identical Tony Castro designed Clipper 70s. As the most subscribed round the world race, the 12th edition had attracted 688 crew representing 43 nationalities for the 41,000+ nm course.
The plan was for the race to finish in 2020 on August 8 in London, but while on course from Australia to China, the Clipper Race Organizing Committee found themselves facing a global pandemic.
Expected to arrive by mid-February 2020, the coronavirus outbreak forced a series of course revisions to avoid Sanya, Zhuhai, and Qindao. But a month later, locked down in the Philippines with nowhere to go, the committee was forced to make an unprecedented decision and postpone the balance of the race.
With the race half way done but stuck in place, the crew eventually was released from quarantine, with the Clipper 70s waiting for the next move. But now over a year later, that next move has yet to come. With hopes of restarting in August 2021, the plan now is to extend the postponement to nearly two years.
Race details – Team list – Race route – Tracker – Facebook
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