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Team Spirit: Life and Leadership on One of the World's Toughest Yacht Races Paperback – August 29, 2013

• Print length 256 pages
• Language English
• Publisher Adlard Coles
• Publication date August 29, 2013
• Dimensions 5.1 x 0.8 x 8 inches
• ISBN-10 140818799X
• ISBN-13 978-1408187999
• See all details

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About the author, product details.

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Adlard Coles; Reprint edition (August 29, 2013)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 140818799X
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1408187999
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 7.2 ounces
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.1 x 0.8 x 8 inches
• #1,417 in Sailing (Books)
• #1,559 in Boating (Books)

About the author

Brendan hall.

Brendan Hall is a truly inspirational man. A professional yacht racing skipper, author, leadership expert and entrepreneur. In 2009, Brendan skippered a yacht in the ultimate long distance challenge, The Clipper Round the World Yacht race - a 35,000-mile circumnavigation of the globe, contested by amateur crews in identical racing yachts.

Although Brendan was the youngest and least experienced skipper in the race, he and his team won it in convincing fashion. This achievement was the culmination of years of leadership research, creating a high-performance culture and a leadership style way beyond his 27 years.

His leadership skills were soon put to the test - in the middle of a North Pacific winter hurricane, Brendan and his crew were tasked with the rescue of an incapacitated skipper on a competing yacht. Brendan swapped yachts and skippered both vessels 4000 nautical miles, across the world’s most treacherous ocean to safety.

After completing this life changing challenge, Brendan authored, Team Spirit, a raw, insightful look into the life of a leader pushing himself and his team to perform in extreme conditions. It distils and communicates the core skills and hard-won lessons that made Brendan’s team a winning one and has had an outstanding reception from the business world, where leaders and teams face comparable challenges in their own environment.

Customer reviews

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Customers find the book a great read and a motivational story about a person who worked. They also mention it's a must if you're considering the Clipper Yacht Race.

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Customers find the book a great read and brilliant. They also say it's well written and motivating.

"...who wishes to be a team leader in any organisation to have a read, great book , vivianne" Read more

"... Worth a read " Read more

" Great book not only about the race but great information on team building and preparing for an adventure that needs everyone's buyin." Read more

" Brilliant - very well written and very motivating" Read more

Customers find the themes in the book great, motivating, and informative. They also mention that the book provides great information on team building and preparing for an adventure.

"This book may be about a great yacht race but it is also a great motivational story about a person who worked very hard to be a fantastic team leader..." Read more

"...Brendan tells his story in an inspiring , amusing and thoughtful way...." Read more

"Great book not only about the race but great information on team building and preparing for an adventure that needs everyone's buyin." Read more

"Brilliant - very well written and very motivating " Read more

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‘My experience of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race’

• May 29, 2024

When David Smith joined the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, he’d anticipated adrenaline-filled days riding the waves of the epic Southern Ocean. The reality was something quite different...

Dirty, wet and hungry; riding 30ft waves on a boat which was permanently tilted at 45°, I realised that this experience wasn’t quite what I’d been sold on that induction day in Gosport, months ago. There is no such thing as a pleasant place to be on a boat like Garmin , in the conditions we were up against. Sitting on the deck involved cramming yourself into an awkward angle in the pit, constantly soaked by sea spray.

Up on the helm, you were fighting with the wheel to keep the boat from slamming into waves, trying to predict the unpredictable in the hope of a smoother ride.

Below deck was a death trap during bad weather; a twisting tumble dryer churning up the crew as if we were each a pair of dirty socks. Once in your bunk, managing to get the bed level was a feat in itself, and most nights I found myself clutching on to another part of the boat to stop myself from falling out. Long gone was the comfort of a double bed with goose feather pillows.

But I suppose that if I had read between the lines back on that induction day, I would have realised this is exactly what I had signed up for.

That day was lovely, spent in a warm room full of smiles and sweet stories of the virtues of sailing around the world in a purpose-built 70ft racing yacht. It’s hard, the Clipper staff warned us, but it all sounded like a jolly jape to me. Another adventure to add to the catalogue. A great story to tell at a slow-moving game of golf.

Clipper 70s are large, powerful offshore yachts capable of more than 30 knots in the right conditions. Photo: Alamy Stock Photo

The Southern Ocean is like a sleigh ride, they had said during our induction, showing us YouTube videos of boats cutting through waves at 30 knots, the crews whooping with joy, like hyenas on the hunt. One young lady showed us around the boat, laughing about the time her skipper had been washed down the deck, a simple loss of footing which resulted in a nasty compound fracture.

She made it sound like a fun anecdote, suitable for a best man’s wedding speech. But it can’t have been fun for him, being the only medic on board, badly injured and responsible for supervising his own medical care, including the administering of morphine. That’s not going to happen to us, we all thought, surrounded by smiles and skippers.

Our jitters were clouded by the prospect of getting to sail some of the most savage waters in the world, including the Southern Ocean. It’s the ocean that every sailor wants to have on their CV, an accolade to their bravery and skill.

Little did we know that any trace of bravery and skill disappears in the face of 70mph winds. Nor did we realise that, at the mercy of these winds, our once noble steed would behave like an out-of-control bucking bronco.

Article continues below…

Golden legend: Sir Robin Knox-Johnston

Only one sailor completed the 1968-69 Sunday Times Golden Globe Race. Katy Stickland meets Sir Robin Knox-Johnston as he recalls…

Clipper Race death: GREAT Britain crewmember washed overboard

Simon Speirs was assisting with a head sail change when he was washed overboard from Clipper Race yacht, GREAT Britain,…

Clipper was the brainchild of Sir Robin Knox-Johnston , widely considered as the messiah of sailing, after becoming the first man to solo sail non-stop around the world. Fifty-three years on and his accomplishment is still one of the greatest sporting feats of all time.

Apparently, more people have climbed Everest than sailed around the world, yet he did it single-handedly, with less than 200 people managing to emulate him. A hugely impressive achievement.

His vision was to share the joys of his experience, so in 1996 he established the first Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. It was the only yacht race to actively encourage amateurs to participate, giving those who had never set foot on a boat before the opportunity to sail either a single leg of the route or completely around the world. The race is now huge, with more than 600 biannual participants and a dozen, supposedly identical, boats – but we’ll save that story for later.

The Garmin crew before setting off. Photo: Alamy Stock Photo

Expensive undertaking

Don’t be fooled though, a world class sailing experience like this one will cost you a pretty penny. Training alone will set you back by £5,000, with every leg completed adding an extra £5,000 to the overall bill, meaning participants can expect to part with up to £55,000 for the pleasure of undertaking a complete circumnavigation.

At the end of the day, you can’t put a price on the feeling of accomplishment, which I guess is why people from all walks of life are attracted to the race. Admittedly, there were plenty of moments on board, under-slept and overworked, when I questioned why I wasn’t the one getting paid, but that’s not the way the Clipper race rolls.

The race started on a grey, but thankfully dry Sunday. The long-anticipated day had finally arrived and hundreds of people had gathered at the start point, lining the Mersey like a parade of penguins. No pressure. Clipper had set up a village by the Albert Dock, which was welcoming in the boats arriving from Gosport – a kind of trial run for the round-the-world (RTW) sailors and a couple of first leggers. The crowd lit up at the sight of the boats. A bystander would have mistaken this as the end of the race, but no, it was just the beginning.

Jobs included rig checks aloft. Photo: David Smith

I shared a tearful goodbye with my children and my good friend Peter who had travelled up to see me off. Prior to setting off, our crew of 20 plus our skipper Gaëtan Thomas (GT) had to sit through a briefing session about the starting procedure and safety on board, a message which had been relentlessly drilled into us since the very beginning of our training.

And once that was over, I was taking my last steps on solid ground for five whole weeks before stepping aboard our boat named after our sponsor, Garmin .

The longest leg

Our first leg to Punta del Este, a swanky city on the south-eastern coast of Uruguay, was the longest leg in Clipper history. Before, the boats had made the journey to Rio de Janeiro, but not Punta, which was further along the coast.

For a little context, the route from Liverpool to Uruguay took us through the Irish Sea, into the English Channel, and then into the unpredictable Bay of Biscay, before heading down the coastline hugging Spain and Portugal and into the North Atlantic. We were then set to sail along the coast of Africa towards the Canary Islands and then head west, passing close to Cape Verde before joining the South Atlantic Ocean.

Tropical sections were warmer but still involved pushing the boats hard. Photo: Photo: David Smith

It’s worth also pointing out the fact that Clipper got its name from the word ‘clip’ which refers to the way in which mid-19th century merchant sailing vessels used to carry cargo at speed around the world, ‘clipping’ through and helped by the trade winds. With this in mind, the whole idea behind the expedition was to be fast – it was, after all, a race.

However, with little wind our boat was often becalmed, leaving us bored and dreaming of the waves we had been warned about in training.

So, the first few days spent on the boat were a time to reflect on what I had taken on. At times, we ran into heavy weather and at other times we spent windless days seemingly going nowhere.

The first leg was 6,363 nautical miles, equating to just over 7,000 miles, and although some days we were making up to 400 miles progress, on other days it could be a quarter of that. Punta seemed a distant destination.

Cloudless skies

As we edged closer to the equator, the air thickened into a sticky and breathless heat which, whilst uncomfortable, was a nice reminder that we were making progress. The grey skies we left behind in England were soon forgotten, replaced by a cloudless expanse of blue.

It was wonderful to watch the crystal blue skies fade into a golden mauve at night, peppered with more stars than I had ever had the pleasure of seeing before. Even more wonderful was the entourage of dolphins, flying fish and seabirds which we had attracted, at times making better company than some of our crew members!

David and crewmate Lyndsey work together to hoist the mainsail. Photo: Photo: David Smith

But of course, much of the joy on board came from my fellow crewmates. Crossing the equator was a particular highlight, with Eric dressing up as King Neptune and the crew changing from ‘Pollywogs’ to ‘Shellbacks’. It was an equator-crossing tradition which was as old as time, but thankfully due to a wave of heavy weather, the main hazing rituals associated with the ceremony were put on hold.

So, instead of eggs being cracked over our heads we cracked open a bottle of champagne to celebrate – much more appealing!

There were two watches on the boat – port and starboard, with a watch leader and an assistant watch leader on each. Curiously, each day on the boat felt both identical to the day which preceded it and completely different.

We had a five-watch system, meaning our days alternated between a pattern of shifts on watch, which at least gave our days a little variety. One of the days, you would be on watch 0800-1400, 2000-0000 and then 0400 0800. You would then switch, the next day, to being on 1400-2000 and 0000-0400.

While the second combination of watches meant that you had more rest time in your day, my favourite shift was always the early one, which started at 0400. Not many people get to watch a sunrise from a yacht, but no matter how damp and drained I may have felt, watching the sun peeking its golden edges over the horizon never lost its novelty.

Admittedly, knowing that once dawn broke my watch would be over, and I’d be able to tuck into my breakfast and then my bunk, always helped. However, despite our strict watch patterns, there was always extra work to be done on a Clipper boat, so we often had extra jobs to complete at the end of our watch, meaning our small window of rest narrowed even further.

It’s a long way up on a 70ft yacht, especially when you’re at sea. Photo: David Smith

Working around the clock

Our days were split into duties, assigned to us via a collective rota. While a lot of these duties related to jobs on deck, there was likewise a lot to be done below deck. One key duty which we took turns completing was the cooking role. Food was the most anticipated daily event, so dishing it up was a pretty important job, although not one which I found particularly enjoyable.

One person from each watch would work together for the day and, weather dependent, this job would either be a nice break from the hard work on deck, or an absolute nightmare. In bad weather, trying to prepare three meals a day for 21 crew members, in a boat heeled over at 40°, was a real challenge.

Granted, it’s not like we were whipping up Michelin-star lobster on a daily basis, but packed like sardines into the tiny galley, with kitchen utensils flying all over the place, it was a cooking environment that even the most esteemed chef would struggle with.

Dreaming of home

Towards the end of each leg, your thoughts become blurred with the hazy prospect of home comforts, no matter where it is in the world that you are docking. Your dreams of a decent hot meal, a long steamy shower and a real bed which doesn’t rock in the night become palpably close, with the shadow of your pre-boat life sharpening into a real image. It made the sailing temporarily bearable.

Our rosy expectations of arriving in Uruguay were somewhat dampened by the miserable, wet weather hanging over Punta del Este, after an equally miserable, wet night on deck. GT had insisted that we were all on deck a couple of hours before we crossed the line but, exhausted from the challenging days which had preceded our finish, I was thoroughly fed up.

The crew and fleet safely back alongside in Liverpool.

Despite having been in the top three several times during the first leg, we finished in eighth place, my sense of achievement blown out like a belated birthday candle. Crossing this first finish line had been a moment that I had been romanticising for weeks, but the reality paled in comparison.

A Clipper RIB welcomed us at the finish line, but it took us a couple of hours to actually disembark, as we had to get the sails down and prepare the boat for docking. We crossed the finish line in the dark but, by the time we were motoring into dock, it was getting light, with only a handful of dedicated people waiting on shore to welcome us.

Despite my gloominess, the entire crew’s spirits were lifted when Gerry piped up, shouting ‘My dad, my dad!’, pointing towards the shore. Waving back at us was Gerry’s dad, a man who we later found out had never left Peru before, now in Uruguay to greet his son.

It was an emotional moment, and I’m sure I wasn’t the only one to shed a tear or two. Whilst I would have loved to see my children and girlfriend waiting next to Gerry’s dad, the smile on Gerry’s face was, in that moment, all I needed to cheer me up.

Once we had backed the boat into its docking position, the Clipper race shore crew wasted no time in thrusting beers into our tired hands – a very welcome sight, even though it was barely eight o’clock in the morning. For weeks, all I had wanted was to get off this damned boat, but suddenly, with smiles on our faces and beers in our hands, we didn’t want to leave.

Eventually, we tumbled off, one by one, and headed to the yacht club for more beers and a spot of breakfast – unconventional but, on this occasion, needed. I headed to my pre-booked hotel in Punta, while some of the others decided to head back to the boat for the night. At that point in time, I would have paid any amount of money for a comfortable bed, so I parted ways with those going back to the boat and walked like a zombie to my hotel room, which would be my home for the next week.

After a week’s rest and minor repairs to the Clipper fleet, we would set sail again, this time for Cape Town and if you want to know what happened on that and subsequent legs you need to read my book: Life is Not a Dress Rehearsal.

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RACE ACROSS THE ATLANTIC

Clipper 2025-26 round the world yacht race.

Raced by people like you, this global ocean race is an endurance challenge like no other. Crew come from all walks of life and nations around the world to tackle one or multiple legs of the record-breaking circumnavigation. Train from novice to become an ocean racer as part of a team onboard a 70-foot ocean racing yacht. Guided by a professional race skipper and first mate you’ll face the world’s most extreme ocean conditions and mental challenges before returning victorious.

IDENTICAL 70 FT RACING YACHTS

Amateur  race crew, exhilarating race  legs, one global circumnavigation.

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THE WORLD IS YOUR RACE TRACK

Led by a professional Skipper and Mate, you can choose to compete in the full 40,000 nautical mile circumnavigation, or test yourself on one or more of the eight unique race legs to suit your schedule and budget. This bucket list experience can see you taking on the notorious Atlantic, Southern Ocean and North Pacific including stopovers in some of the world's most spectacular destinations.

We take lessons from having raced more than 3 million miles and apply them to our pioneering four-level training. Even if you have never sailed before, our mandatory program will enable you to take on some of the most extreme environments on the planet with confidence. As part of your training package we'll kit you out with cutting edge foul weather gear, tried, tested and approved by the world's top professional sailors.

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Discover what we are looking for in our Race Crew, the selection process, training for ocean race conditions and what you can expect from the Clipper Race experience. Find out everything you need to know and get your questions answered live.

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"BY TAKING ON MOTHER NATURE’S TOUGHEST CONDITIONS, WE WIDEN OUR HORIZONS AND HAVE MEMORIES TO CHERISH THAT CAN ONLY BE WON THROUGH EXPERI ENCE AND TEAMWORK"

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The world's first solo, non-stop circumnavigator, chairman | clipper round the world yacht race.

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Let the sea set you free.

Release the shackles of normality.  With adventure your guide, courage your companion you'll chase unfamiliar stars to distant lands and follow the horizon to its edge and keep going. You will be humbled by the fury of mother nature and rewarded in equal measure, with vibrant displays from the natural world.

The Clipper Race will challenge you to step outside your comfort zone, stretching both your physical and mental limits. Whether you're looking for the challenge of epic ocean storms, facing 15m waves and hurricane-force winds, or the tactical challenge of navigating the Doldrums now you can prove to yourself what you are truly capable of.

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DRIVEN BY COURAGE

Courage is contagious. It ignites our hearts in a chain reaction that defies fear. Each display of courage spreads like wildfire, emboldening others to face their own challenges and in this continuous bravery we find strength and unity, transcending boundaries and transforming lives.

DRIVEN BY ADVENTURE

Adventure knows no boundaries, has no age limit and crosses cultures and professions. The quest for adventure may be irrational; it is a strength of desire that drives us to step outside our comfort zone, endure discomfort and drive us towards our goals.

DRIVEN BY SAILING

Not for the faint hearted, big boat sailing combines the exhilaration of the open sea, the art of harnessing the wind, and camaraderie of teamwork. From the adrenaline rush of racing, to the serenity of cruising, sailing offers a unique blend of challenge, freedom and connection with nature.

DRIVEN BY HISTORY

Since 1995, we have delivered on the promise to make ocean sailing and iconic racing an accessible adventure to all, inspired by Clipper Ventures President and Clipper Race Founder, sailing legend Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first person to sail solo, non-stop around the world. 

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The sprint is on: Clipper Race fleet heads for Airlie Beach in short, tactical offshore race

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Clipper Round the World Yacht Race arriving in Londonderry

The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, which sees teams of amateur sailors spend a year travelling the globe, is arriving in Londonderry.

The yachts are arriving ahead of schedule for the Foyle Maritime Festival between 20 July and 24 July.

The first to show up was the GoToBermuda and crew, which arrived just before 10:30 BST to applause.

The event sees teams travel 40,000 nautical miles (74,080km) and stop at various locations around the world.

Initial estimates had the race group arriving to the city on Thursday.

The current Clipper Race started back in 2019, but was postponed for two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic , and restarted again in March 2022.

Some of the countries that the fleet have docked in already this year have included Portugal, South Africa, Uruguay, Australia, China, Philippines, Panama and Bermuda.

This year will mark the 10th year of partnership between the Clipper Race and Derry and it will once again be a key feature of the internationally renowned Foyle Maritime Festival .

The GoToBermuda crew met locals on the quay shortly before getting breakfast and heading for a Guinness.

'Welcome and warmth in Derry'

Clipper's deputy race director Dale Smyth told BBC News NI's Good Morning Ulster programme Derry was a highlight in the race.

"It's a place that's really connected with Clipper and become a home of the race.

"For us it's coupled with the fact that we are back into UK waters and the excitement of almost completing a circumnavigation and then just the amazing welcome and warmth we receive here from the people. It's just a fantastic stop-over for us.

"The north Atlantic is a big wild place and they've been at sea for a long time so everyone is more than looking forward to a hot shower and a pint of Guinness."

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He said the race was special.

"It's the only event internationally that gives amateurs the experience to circumnavigate and race at a professional level off shore," he explained.

The five-day festival focuses on the Derry's rich maritime heritage and tens of thousands of people are expected to attend.

The festival offerings include live performances, ship tours, boat viewings, water activities, food trails, as well as animated family fun zones.

The theme for 2022 is What Lies Beneath, focusing on marine science, sustainability and protecting underwater ecosystems.

Derry man Gerard Doherty and eight other non-professional sailors from the island of Ireland are among the 11 teams who have taken on the nautical challenge.

Several of the Irish crew are sailing on board the Ha Long Bay, the Vietnam entry, including Mr Doherty, who sailed more than 15,000 nautical miles on legs six, seven and eight of the race.

It arrived in Derry just before 17:15 BST.

Speaking to BBC Radio Foyle , Mr Doherty, who left Derry in February, said it was just "so good to be back".

"The Pacific was a long hard sail, it was cold and wet. But the crew got us through, it was a team effort and it worked," he said.

Mr Doherty said the biggest challenge while at sea was how much he missed his family.

"I knew I would miss my family but I didn't realise how much I would miss them.

"I am so glad to be in Derry".

As he sailed into the Foyle he said he was "just so proud of my achievement, proud of the reception we received from the people of Derry, just proud to be a Derryman".

He was welcomed ashore on Wednesday by his wife Sharon and daughters Kate and Jane.

Speaking ahead of the fleet's arrival on Wednesday, mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Sandra Duffy said there was a real sense of anticipation building in the city.

"The first sign of the yachts as they make their way up the Foyle generates a huge buzz and the crew can expect a tremendous reception when they step on to the Quayside," Ms Duffy said.

"I know we're all looking forward in particular to welcoming our own crew member Gerard Doherty home after his epic adventure.

"I hope to see lots of people turning out to give Gerard and all the Clipper crew a very warm Derry welcome."

The penultimate stop for the round-the-world race is dubbed "The LegenDerry Finale" as crews are welcomed to the city following their journey from New York in the United States.

The Foyle Maritime Festival is led by Derry City and Strabane District Council with support from Tourism NI, Foyle Port and the Loughs Agency.

Welcome home sailor: Derry duo return

Thousands visit derry's maritime festival, clipper yacht race set to return to londonderry.

Clipper Round the World Yacht Race - Coming to Oban!

The Clipper Race is renowned as one of the toughest endurance challenges on the planet, welcoming adventurers from all walks of life to take on the exceptional challenge of racing across the world’s oceans on board a 70ft yacht. This unique event sees teams battle extreme conditions on its eleven-month circumnavigation and for the first time in its 27-year history, The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race will be making a stop in Scotland when it sails to Oban on its homecoming leg. 

Oban will host a number of events from Monday, 12th to Sunday 21st July to celebrate The Clipper Race historic Scotland stop. Follow the yachts' progress here.

The Clipper Race In Action

Oban Programme of Events

Join in with events happening in Oban celebrating the many ways to enjoy the coastline and The Clipper Race arrival. Download our Visitor Map below to see where the action takes place!

SPECTATOR & TURN UP EVENTS

• 12th to 16th July, North Pier Pontoon - Welcome The Clipper Race Fleet - 11 Clipper 70 Yachts arrive in Oban. Track their arrival here.
• 13th & 14th July, from 12pm, Dingy Park, Oban Sailing Club - WASZP Scottish Championships - exciting shore spectator opportunity as Oban Sailing Club hosts WASZP Scottish Championship.
• 14th July, 11am to 4pm, Dunstaffnage Castle Car Park - RYA Coastal Beach Clean - No need to book, just turn up. More info here.
• 15th July, 6pm to 9pm, Oban Sailing Club - Monday Mayhem.  See Oban's young sailors take part in water events in the bay.
• 15th to 19th July, 10am to 4pm, North Pier - Ocean Science Busking event . Dive into some of the latest advances in our understanding about the ocean: be inspired, amazed, and entertained by our students, researchers and conservationists. 
• 16th July, from 6pm, Oban Sailing Club - Keel Boat Racing .
• 16th to 21st July, 9am to 5pm, North Pier - Clipper Race Fanzone - Learn about the Clipper Race, the world’s toughest ocean challenge, and how you can get involved in the next race.
• 17th to 21st July, 10am to 4pm, Rockfield Centre - Food & Drink Village - Showcasing artisan produce from lochs, coasts, glens and islands of Argyll. Stalls include dairy, meat, seafood, preserves, baking, oils, chocolate, sauces, biscuits, tea, coffee and store cupboard staples, local gins, craft beer and spirits.
• 17th to 19th July, 2pm to 3.30pm, Corran Halls - Gaelic Taster Sessions - Gaelic Taster drop-in sessions. Fun, informal introduction to Gaelic words and phrases. No booking needed!
• 17th July, 1.00pm to 4.00pm, Cuan Mor - Chop for Charity Join Clipper Race crew for a haircut and/or beard trim with donations to UNICEF & The Little Princess Trust. No need to book. 
• 18 th July, 11am to 4pm, Oban Sailing Club - Autism on the Water. Free sailing trips for people on the autistic spectrum and their parents & carers on yacht “Confidence” including a “sail by” pass the Clipper Race fleet at the North Pier Pontoon. Enjoy activities for all ages in the clubhouse!
• 18th & 19th July, 10am to 6pm, North Pier Pontoon - Tour a Clipper 70 Racing Yacht - Bring the family and step on board a Clipper 70 stripped down ocean racing yacht. Take an above and below deck tour with the Race Crew that have called these yachts home for eleven months - Free and no need to book!
• 20th July, 3pm,  from Black Lynn River (opposite Roxy's Restaurant), Rotary Annual Duck Race - Sponsor a duck for charity at Station Square from Friday 19th.
• 20th July, 1pm, Town Centre Beach - The Great Oban Bay Raft Race - Get a team, build a raft & compete! Register from 11.30am at Kwik Fit or The Royal Hotel or email [email protected]
• 20th July, 10am to 4pm, North Pier - RNLI Lifejacket Clinic & Water Safety stand.
• 21st July, 10.30am - Clipper Race crew are piped down to the North Pier Pontoons for the race start preparations.

10.30am - Crew Parade: Watch as the Clipper Race crew are piped down from Station Square to the North Pier for the Race Start preparations.

• 12pm to 12.30pm - Slipping the Line: Come and cheer on the 11 teams as they slip lines and commence preparations for the Parade of Sail from 12:00 pm to 12.30pm.
• 1pm, Parade of Sail - From Kerrera Marina across Oban Bay past Dunollie Lighthouse out to Dunstaffnage.

3pm Clipper Race Start: From Dunstaffnage.

BOOK IN ADVANCE & TICKETED EVENTS

• 17th & 18th July, 11am & 2pm, North Pier - Guided walking tours around the town, £12 per person. Book tickets here . 
• 18th July, 10am to 4pm, Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) - Ocean Kindness: how to use the sea sustainably . A free walking tour with talks, demonstrations and hands-on science. Free mini bus from Corran Halls to SAMS, every 30 mins - 10 mins journey time. Book tickets here.
• 19th July, 6.30pm to 7.30pm (arrive from 6pm), Rockfield Centre - Clipper Race Discovery Talk: Become an Ocean Racer - Hear from the Clipper Race crew and team all about the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. Free to attend. Book tickets here.
• 19th July, 7pm, The View  - Join the Clipper crew of Ha Long Bay for their UNICEF fundraiser. A night of quizzing, raffling, and assorted hi-jinks!  Book tickets here .
• 19th July, 7.30pm, Argyllshire Gathering Halls - The crew of Our Isles and Oceans and Mòd an Òbain 2024 have teamed up to host a stellar cèilidh dance. With entertainment and cèilidh dancing provided by The Sileas Sinclair Band, as well as some special guests and the chance to win some raffle prizes or test your aim with the whisky toss, it's bound to be a night to remember. Book tickets here .
• 20th July, 7pm, Corran Halls - Come join us for an unforgettable night of music with Skerryore in concert - Book your ticket .
• 20th July, 11am, Dunollie Castle - Pirates, Mermaids and the Ocean  - Spend the day enjoying nautical themed fun for all ages. Take part in workshops, craft activities, storytelling, and take the explorer’s quest through Dunollie’s enchanting woodland grounds. Fancy dress is welcome. Book tickets here.

Download The Clipper Race Visitor Map

Festival of the Sea

Clipper race fleet arrives in oban.

Visitors can watch the yachts as they sail in from Oban – find out where they are from here Clipper 2023-24 Race Viewer 

Food Village, 17th - 21st July

Wednesday 17th july.

H20 Designs

Lismore Luminations

Highland Fold

Wild Barn Brewery

Caledonian Oysters

Isle of Mull Coffee Roastery

Argyll and Bute Cheeses

Food from Argyll Café

Forest, Field and Glen

Kilmartin Gin

Annie's Herb Kitchen

Northern Light Cakery

The Scottish Seaweed Association

Thursday 18th July

James Coogan Ceramics

Hilda Smith Fyne Art

Hazel Rose Jewellery

Spirited Soaps

Slainte Sauces

Inverlonan Bakery

Friday 19th July

Calma Shores

A Touch of Glass

Lesley Burr

Skipness Smokehouse

Saturday 20th July

Braw Liquor Club

Scottish Island Art

Sea Drift Pottery

Deer Island Rum

The Tobermory Fish Company

Isle of Mull Seaweed

Sunday 21st July

Melbula Art Studio

Beaufort Publishing

Argyll Abode

Accommodation in Oban, Lorn & the Isles

Enjoy town centre, seaside or country hotels, with options to suit most guests. 

GUEST HOUSES

There is a wonderful choice of guesthouses incuding budget and luxury options.

BED & BREAKFASTS

Enjoy overnight accommodation with a range of breakfast options from full Scottish to continental.

SELF CATERING

There are many self catering experiences in Oban and the surrounding area.

Discover a small number of hostels great for families, groups and individuals.

CARAVAN PARKS

Pitch up your tent, pull up your caravan or motorhome – or stay self-catering in a holiday park.

How will you travel?

Scroll down for more useful information on all methods of transport.

The train is the easiest and most scenic way to reach Oban. Trains run daily directly from Glasgow Queen Street Station.

West Coast Motors offers bus services throughout Oban and beyond, while Citylink provides service between Glasgow and Oban.

CalMac offer services to the islands of Kerrera, Lismore, Mull & Iona, Colonsay, Barra, Tiree & Coll.

Oban Airport is your gateway to the Isles – linking the mainland with the islands Coll, Colonsay, Islay and Tiree.

The Clipper Race and associated events are proudly sponsored by

Find a Venue

Walter e. washington convention center, entertainment & sports arena, rfk stadium, the fields at rfk campus, festival grounds at rfk campus, skate park at rfk campus, r.i.s.e. demonstration center, carnegie library at mt. vernon square, nationals park, gather by events dc.

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Clipper Race Fleet Week

June 21 - 25, 2024 the ultimate celebration of adventure and sail.

Kick off summer in Washington, DC with the ultimate maritime celebration! Over 700 amateur sailors have embarked on the race of a lifetime. Now, the 40,000-nautical-mile-race around the world will make its only East Coast stop at The Wharf. Tour boats, converse with crews, experience live art and celebrate the culture of the Washington, DC as we welcome yachts from across the globe to our vibrant waterfront.

Fleet Week Activities

Clipper Race Around the World

Clipper Round the World Fleet, Parade of Sail

Team Washington, DC, Race Start

Clipper Round the World Fleet, Race Start

Clipper Round the World, Race Start

The Adventure of a Lifetime

The Clipper 2023-24 Round the World Yacht Race began September 3, 2023 in Portsmouth, U.K. Since then, the fleet of eleven 70-foot racing Clipper Race yachts has circumnavigated the globe and is racing toward The Wharf for its first-ever stop in Washington, DC.

The Celebration

Events DC presents Clipper Race Fleet Week at The Wharf, the ultimate celebration of adventure and sail. Tour a Clipper 70 yacht, immerse yourself in maritime culture, enjoy live music and engage in activities for the whole family!  

Events DC proudly sponsors the Washington, DC team captained by Hannah Brewis. Over the course of the race, amateur sailors from over 19 nations are represented aboard "Little Washy" with crew ages ranging from 28 to 70.   

What People Say about Clipper Round the World...

"You will never conquer or master the ocean but you can endure it. Mother Nature is an unforgiving mistress, always with one last trick up her sleeve for you when you least expect it." 

-Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Founder, Clipper Round the World Yacht Race

“ Events DC is excited to host the fleet during our Clipper Race Fleet Week at the Wharf. This will be a very exciting weekend full of maritime, family fun. I invite everyone to come to The Wharf and celebrate the accomplishments of these 11 crews who have been sailing Round the World for nine months and are on their last leg to the finish. ”    

-Angie M. Gates, President and CEO, Events DC 

“ The city needs no introduction and just look at our awesome yacht design! I can’t wait for us all to be representing this historic American landmark destination as we sail around the world. ” 

- Hannah Brewis, Skipper, Washington, DC team

Thank You To Our Sponsors!

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Train to become an Ocean Racer and experience the exhilaration of circumnavigating the globe on a 70-foot racing yacht.

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Go ahead and start your race application today. After clicking here you will be asked to complete a short application form and pay a £100 deposit.

Complete this form to receive an Info Pack straight into your inbox, then get in touch and we’ll help you plan The Race of Your Life.

All Race Crew have the opportunity to spread their training and berth fees with equal monthly payments. This allows you to schedule your training weeks well in advance and chose a race leg that best suits your budget and timing. The earlier you apply, the longer you have to spread the cost.

If you would like further information about our payment plan please email: [email protected] or call +44(0) 2392 526000

Crew Stories

Outwit the Doldrums, conquer the Pacific and face up against Mother Nature. The Clipper Race offers the ultimate sailing challenge.

BOOK YOUR STAY FOR CLIPPER ROUND THE WORLD

17-25 june // washington, dc, usa, clipper round the world yacht race.

Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is coming to Washington, DC, USA. Visit the fleet at The Wharf and experience the exhilaration of their arrival having completed seven of the eight legs in their 40,000nm eleven-month circumnavigation, racing the world's toughest oceans.

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