Clipper Round the World Race departs Cape Town and heads to Australia

The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race 2023-2024 edition started in September and saw participants from 55 countries compete on a matched fleet of 21-meter ocean racing yachts. The route is divided into eight legs and between 13 and 16 individual races including six ocean crossings.

It is known as one of the toughest endurance challenges in the world and sees over 700 people from across the globe participating.

The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race 2023-2024 edition started in September and saw participants from 55 countries compete on a matched fleet of 21-meter ocean racing yachts.

The route is divided into eight legs and between 13 and 16 individual races including six ocean crossings.

The race started in the United Kingdom (UK), before sailing to Spain and Uruguay and then heading to Cape Town.

On Thursday 9 November, the teams arrived in Cape Town.

The race is the only event of its kind that trains people from all walks of life to become ocean racers, and many have no previous sailing experience.

It was founded in 1996 by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first person to sail solo and non-stop around the world.

Participants sign up for the intensive four levels of training before racing.

Led by a professional Skipper and First Mate, Race Crew can complete the full eleven-month circumnavigation or choose to test themselves on one or multiple legs.

The top three teams are:

People’s Post caught up with the teams at the V&A Waterfront on Thursday before they embarked on an 8 797 km journey to Fremantle, Australia on Saturday 18 November.

The 2023-24 race sees 24 South Africans participating.

Six of them got to experience the pride of sailing into their home country, and seven embarked on the next stage of the adventure from