Raced by people from all walks of life, including plumbers, teachers, chefs and former funeral directors, the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race begins this Sunday 31 August from Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth.
Two Isle of Wight sailors, Diana Vega and Faith Nordbruch, have been chosen to help lead a team of non-professionals in the upcoming race. Both were born and raised on the Island and will play a central role in guiding their crew around the globe.
A race for everyone
Founded in 1995 by sailing legend Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the Clipper Race is a 40,000-nautical mile circumnavigation of the world.
The event is open to anyone, regardless of previous sailing experience. Ten teams take part, each racing in identical 70ft yachts. Every team is led by a professional Skipper and First Mate, while Race Crew can choose to sign up for one, several, or all eight legs of the race.
Portsmouth festivities this weekend
Gunwharf Quays will host a weekend of activities as the fleet makes its final preparations. Visitors can see the world’s largest matched fleet of 70ft ocean racing yachts before they depart on their global journey across six continents.
Alongside yacht tours, there will be talks, discovery zones and opportunities to meet some of the ‘local legends’ who are taking part in the race. Organisers say the events aim to spark imagination, ignite adventure and create lasting memories for families.
The Isle of Wight community will be watching closely as Diana Vega and Faith Nordbruch set out on this extraordinary challenge.
Future Crew Zone
Suitable for budding adventurers of all ages, our Future Crew Zone is where curious minds can dive into the world of ocean racing in a family friendly atmosphere.
Get involved in themed activities including face painting, design your own Clipper 70 yacht competition and more!
Explore the Fanzone
Discover more about the Clipper 2025-26 Race in the FANZONE, where you can meet our courageous Race Crew, learn about the route, and meet our Official Suppliers and Partners that help us bring the Clipper Race to life.
You can even join us as we team up with the Final Straw Foundation in a beach clean, learning more about how we can all help reduce plastic pollution, and meet our friends at the Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service (GAFIRS).
Wondering how YOU could become an ocean racer? Come and chat to our team in the Discovery Dome!
Tour a Clipper Ocean Racing Yacht – 29th-30th August 2025
Don’t miss a tour of our magnificent ocean racing fleet, above and below deck. Feed your curiosity about on board living conditions, technology and life at a 40º angle in extreme weather conditions.
The tours are free to attend but booking is required.
Clipper 68 Motor Tours – 29th August 2025
Learn more about life on board one of these unique yachts as you motor on the Solent. Our Clipper 68s have sailed around the world four times and are the yachts that our Clipper 2025-26 Race crew have trained on, ready to cross the world’s oceans. Have the opportunity to chat with the Skipper, First and Second Mates about their sailing experiences.
There is a cost of £5 per person for the motor tours, which will be donated to Clipper Race Charity Partner UNICEF.
Free Discovery Talk – Aspex Portsmouth – 30th August 2025 | 10am
Have you got what it takes to race across the world’s oceans?
The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is on the lookout for its next batch of adventurers – with no previous experience required. Think it’s for you? Come along to a Discovery Talk, designed to inspire those eager to test their limits.
Live Music 29th-31st August 2025
We’ll be celebrating the very best emerging talent from Portsmouth and across the region. Come down and show your support for some amazing local talent.
Watch the action – The Clipper Race start – 31st August 2025
Whether you’re on shore or on the water, watching the fleet depart on its 40,000nm race around the world will be an unforgettable experience.
On shore at Gunwharf Quays, festivities continue in the morning and at 12.30pm Clipper Race teams will take to the stage followed by a departure ceremony at 1.30pm.
For an up-close and exhilarating view of the Clipper 2025-26 Race Start, recreational boat owners are invited to watch from the water. Join a flotilla of fellow enthusiasts and witness the racing fleet cross the Start Line from the best seat in the house—your own boat.
On shore viewing locations
Once the fleet has departed from Gunwharf Quays (just after 2pm) there are some fantastic viewing locations to catch the action on the water.
Distance from Gunwharf Quays
- Area surrounding Southsea Castle // 35 mins (1.7 miles) (2.56pm)
- Battery Wall // 15 mins (0.6 miles)
- Hotwalls Beach // 15 mins (0.7 miles) (2.43pm)
- Round Tower // 15 mins (0.7 miles)
- The Point // 17 mins (0.8 miles)
Local heroes taking part in the Clipper Race
Clipper Race Crew come from all over the globe with a total of 42 nationalities represented in this edition. Race Crew who from the region include:
- Steve Pearce – retired COO and funeral director from Portsmouth – Racing Leg 1 and 8
- Amy Walshe, 48 – Quantity Surveyor from Portsmouth – Racing Leg 1
- Thomas Roy, 18 – Student and youngest circumnavigator on this edition, from Southampton – Circumnavigator
- Marcie Perrow, 29 – Nurse from Romsey – Racing Leg 5 and 6
In addition to Clipper Race Crew, some of the professional sailing staff leading the teams are from the region, including:
- Ella Hebron – Skipper of Washington, DC – from Eastbourne, East Sussex
- Diana Vega – First Mate on UNICEF – from Cowes, Isle of Wight
- Faith Nordbruch – First Mate on Qingdao – from Cowes, Isle of Wight
- Charlie Cullen – First Mate on GOSH – from Worthing, West Sussex
