The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race has departed Washington, DC
as it makes its voyage towards home on the last leg of its 40,000nm
circumnavigation. The fleet is bound for Oban on the west coast of
Scotland for the penultimate stop on the adventure, before
returning to Portsmouth.
In a glittering departure ceremony delivered by host port
sponsor Events DC, fireworks, fanfare and a marching band, the
teams waved goodbye to the capital as they headed for the iconic
Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge, which made the rare occurrence of
throwing open the drawbridge to send the fleet on its journey
across the Atlantic Ocean.
The Clipper Race is the only event of its kind that trains
people from all walks of life to race across the world's toughest
oceans. Dentists race alongside students, farmers and musicians in
a true test of endurance, where the sailors spend up to a month at
sea. Crew can take on one or multiple legs, or the entire race
around the world, which takes eleven months. Many Race Crew have no
prior sailing experience before undertaking the compulsory four
stages of training required to race, and each team is led by a
professional Skipper and First Mate as they face the harshest
conditions that Mother Nature can serve up.
The fleet of eleven stripped back racing yachts arrived at The
Wharf, Washington, DC last Monday (10 June), completing its twelfth
race, suitably named the Come Sea DC Cup, and marking the first
visit to the US Capital in the 28-year history of the Clipper
Race.
The Race Village, which has filled The Wharf’s waterfront for
the best part of a week, has seen thousands of locals visit and get
involved in the action. Three days of open boats saw over 2,100
visitors to the boats that over 700 Race Crew have called home
throughout the circumnavigation. Shown around by Race Crew, it was
quick fire questions about life on board as visitors were left in
awe at the conditions in which racers live as they sail around the
world.
And the Clipper Race clearly made its mark on the nation’s
capital, with over 2,000 enquiries to find out more about how to
get involved in the next edition of the race made during the
stopover.
The super Host Port and Team Partners Events DC have put on
quite a show for the crew in town, with live music, art
installations, taste tests, family fun activities and plenty
of stash up for grabs through the week’s packed agenda.
Angie Gates, President and CEO of Events DC could not contain
the pride she felt for her capital city and its welcome of the
Clipper Race. Speaking to The Wharf marina and its walled lined
with supporters and locals, she said: "I’m starting to feel
melancholy – my heart is starting to feel sad – the fact that we
are getting closer to the teams departing is giving me some little
sad moments.
"On behalf of the Events DC Board of Directors, as well as Mayor
Muriel Bowser and the DC Council, and of course the Events DC
staff, I want to extend my heart felt congratulations to the
incredible sailors for taking part in the Clipper Round the World
Yacht Race. Your time this week in Washington, DC has been truly
memorable. We have witnessed your competitive spirit and passion
for sailing, first hand. Without a doubt you have left a lasting
impression on our hearts and on our great city, across all eight
wards.
"Now, as you set sail for the next leg of your epic journey, we
know you will face new challenges and conquer unchartered waters.
Remember, the spirit of Washington, DC, a city that thrives on
resilience and determination, sails with you.
"Let’s give it up to Team Washington, DC – the Events
DC team - and the entire city will be cheering you on every step of
the way. We will be following your progress closely and we cannot
wait until you cross the Finish Line. You will forever, and I
repeat EVER be part of the Events DC family. The race may end but
we are family for life. From the bottom of our hearts, we wish you
fair winds, calm seas and god speed.
"I also want to take a moment to thank the entire Events DC
team. I wear the title of President and CEO, but I could not do
this without every single member of this team. We made history
y’all. This is the first time the Clipper Race has had a stopover
here in Washington, DC – so I want to thank the entire team.
"So, as you prepare to depart, I want you to know you all have
an open invitation to come back anytime. I know the race is every
two years, but you can come back in two weeks! And maybe by the
time two years rolls around, I may even join you on the yacht!
Thank you everyone and safe travel."
And in a right usually reserved for the presidents and celebs
alike, the skipper of home boat Washington, DC Hannah Brewis
got the opportunity to throw the ceremonial first pitch at the
Washington Nationals game.
It was a vibrant and colourful stopover that made history in the
city. 27-year-old Hannah Brewis has skippered the Washington,
DC yacht around the world, and said of finally sailing into
the Home Port of her boat: “The Washington DC stopover has exceeded
expectations. It has been an amazing stopover. We’ve done so much,
seen so many things, met so many people. I don’t know if I will
ever have this feeling ever again.”
Her first mate, Ella Hebron added: “Events DC has been an
incredible sponsor right from the start. They have done so much for
the crew, supporters and for me and Hannah. Events DC and Angie
have been fantastic. She’s supported us the whole way through the
race. It’s delightful to have someone so invested in the race, and
look after us. We’re excited to be here and it’s a great
partnership.”
Max Rivers, who heads up Our Isles and Oceans yacht as
Skipper said: “DC is great! I saw some real pieces of history. I
saw the Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence and the Magna
Carta. It’s fantastic to experience history at your
fingertips.”
Laura Hampton, ifrst mate on UNICEF said of the
stopover: “I love just being in the city and cycling around. It was
really cool to go to the Washington Nationals game with Events DC
and watch Skipper Hannah throw the first pitch!”
Race Crew on board Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam, Jaci Smith who hails
from Wyoming, USA, said: “Coming into Washington DC, the capital of
the United States, via the Potomac River was such a prestigious
experience. I feel privileged to arrive here via the waterfront,
like so many explorers before me. I have never visited my capital
and have been left so proud of how beautiful this region is.”
For now, it’s farewell and thank you to the city as the fleet
heads to the starting line of Race 13: Oban Atlantic Homecoming.
The penultimate race of over 3,000nm will end in Oban, Scotland
from the 12 July. You can follow all of the action on the Clipper
Race Viewer.
Notes to editorsA selection of images from the Washington, DC
stopover can be found here: https://we.tl/t-j3TU4YS5VGVNR of
departures can be seen
here: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ciec0jymg64h692bhhrod/240625_16DS_CR_WDC_DEPARTURE_VNR.mp4?rlkey=imxs6aczspndrkjwat3y6kc53&e=1&st=8uveihaj&dl=0
- Clipper Yacht Race Round the World
- Clipper Race Parade of Sail and Fireworks at The Wharf
Christy Goodman
Events DC
2028092005
cgoodman@eventsdc.com