around the world yacht race 2024

Clipper Round The World Race 2024 Comes To Airlie Beach

World-wide racing competition, Clipper Round The World is currently in Airlie Beach! 

The Clipper Round The World race is a biyearly yacht race which ventures to eight destinations around the globe. The race gives non-experienced sailors to opportunity to pay to competitively sail around the world on custom-designed, 60-foot identical yachts. Participants undertake four weeks of training to gain the knowledge and skills needed to sail around the world for 10 months. 

There are 11 yachts involved, each with their own race team. In total there are 11 teams, over 700 crew, and they cover 40,000 nautical miles. Each team has a professional skipper on board, as well as other qualified crew who can assist the amateur sailors. 

The 2023-2024 race began in Portsmouth, United Kingdom on the 3rd September, 2023 and is set to finish in July 2024 in Oban, Scotland. The 11 yachts visit eight different locations around the world including three ports in Australia.

At the time of this article (Jan 2024), the Clipper Round The World crew are currently moored at Coral Sea Marina in Airlie Beach in the Whitsundays before departing for the next leg of their journey on the 22nd January.

Where does the Clipper Round The World Race go?

Before arriving in Airlie Beach, the Clipper Round The World  crew raced up from Newcastle in New South Wales. Their next destination is Ha Long Bay in Vietnam. 

Every second year when the race takes place, the organisers of the race decide what they want the route to look like. The route changes each time and more than 50 cities around the world have hosted the 60-foot yachts.

The 2023-2024 racing route starts from Portsmouth in the United Kingdom and the first three stops are Puerto Sherry in Spain, Punta Del Este in Uruguay, and Cape Town in South Africa. The race then makes its way to Australia stopping in Fremantle, Newcastle and the Whitsundays. The next leg stops in Ha Long Bay in Vietnam, Zhuhai and Qingdao in China, Seattle in the USA, Panama, and Washington DC in the USA. The homecoming leg makes it to Oban in Scotland, concluding 10 months of sailing. The crew are given a few days to a week in each port to relax on land and explore their new surroundings. 

History of the Clipper Round The World Race

The first Clipper Round The World Race took place in October 1996 where eight 60-foot yachts left Plymouth in the UK and raced around the world. The race was created by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston who founded Clipper Ventures, a company that runs the races. The initial race stopped in ports such as Madeira, Fort Lauderdale, the Galápagos Islands, Hawaii, Yokohama, Salvador and the Azores. That first race finished in September 1997. 

Since 1996, more than 5,000 people have competed in what is often referred to as the “world’s toughest ocean racing challenge”. 

Watch the Clipper Round The World Race start from Airlie Beach

If you're in Airlie Beach on the 22nd January 2024 and are interested in watching the Clipper Round the World  yachts depart Airlie and start their next leg towards Ha Long Bay in Vietnam, then be sure to head to the Coral Sea Marina to see the race take off! The highly-anticipated event is set to be popular amongst locals, excited to see the teams off! 

If you're eager to step onboard one of the 11 yachts, visit the Coral Sea Marina on Saturday, 20th January between 10am and 3pm . You can meet the crew, have a tour of the yacht, and see where the crew live for their months at sea. 

Want to sail in the Whitsundays?

If sailing through the Whitsundays (just like the Clipper Round The World crew) appeals to you then you've come to the right place! There are all types of sailing tours and experiences you can have in the Whitsundays. From maxi yachts to sunset sails to adventure sailing , you can find exactly what you're looking for on our website. If you get stuck, don't hesitate to chat to our local travel experts who will point you in the right direction!

What are you waiting for? Get sailing today!  Jump on our live chat and speak to the experts !

Related articles....

WE ARE READY TO HELP YOU

• Our experts are Based in Airlie Beach
• We can build packages to save you $$$
• Whitsundays biggest boat cooperative

Quick Enquiry

Whitsundays guide.

BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE

LATEST REVIEWS

Whitsundays news.

Sailing Whitsundays acknowledges the Ngaro, Gia and Juru people as the Traditional Owners of the lands and seas in which we operate. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all First Nations peoples.

• Skip to main content
• Skip to header right navigation
• Skip to site footer

Community and Visitor Information

Clipper Round the World Yacht Race 2024

Arrives oban: 12 july 2024.

The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race 2024 stands as a testament to human endeavour, pushing the boundaries of maritime exploration and competition. As the world’s longest ocean race, it spans over 40,000 nautical miles, encompassing six continents and crossing some of the planet’s most challenging and treacherous waters. Among its notable stops is the picturesque port town of Oban on 12 July 2024, nestled along the rugged coast of Scotland – the first time the race has ever come to Oban! Here, against the backdrop of majestic mountains and serene lochs, the race will showcase the prowess of sailors from across the globe as they navigate their vessels through the unpredictable waters of the North Atlantic.

Nine Scottish crew members are participating in the Clipper 2023-24 Race, which consists of eight legs. By the time the teams reach Oban, they will have sailed nearly 40,000 nautical miles and crossed six oceans.

Laura Ayres, Managing Director at Clipper Ventures, said “As our first ever stop in Scotland, we know Oban locals will put on a huge Highlands welcome for our crew. The Clipper Race brings large numbers of international visitors to its Host Ports and their surrounding areas. It is our hope that this new partnership with Oban will bring a substantial economic impact to the local community.”

FUL RACE INFORMATION ON THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE

CURRENT RACE STANDINGS

Historical Background

To truly grasp the significance of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, one must delve into its rich history, steeped in maritime tradition and adventure. The race traces its origins back to 1995 when legendary sailor Sir Robin Knox-Johnston , the first person to sail solo non-stop around the world, founded the event with the vision of making ocean racing accessible to all. Since its inception, the race has captured the imagination of sailors and enthusiasts alike, offering ordinary individuals the chance to experience the thrill of circumnavigating the globe aboard a racing yacht.

Over the years, the Clipper Race has evolved into a global phenomenon, attracting participants from diverse backgrounds and nationalities. Each edition of the race presents a unique set of challenges, testing the skills and endurance of both seasoned sailors and novice adventurers. From battling fierce storms in the Southern Ocean to navigating the crowded shipping lanes of the Pacific, the race demands unwavering determination and seamanship from its competitors.

One of the defining features of the Clipper Race is its unique format, which sees a fleet of identical stripped-down racing yachts compete against each other under the guidance of professional skippers.

The third iteration of one-design Clipper Race yachts made their debut in the Clipper 2013-14 Race, demonstrating superior speed and agility compared to earlier models. These yachts achieved a remarkable speed record of 35 knots during Leg 6, as exemplified by the performance of the yacht named OneDLL.

The fleet consists of eleven 70-foot yachts, which is the largest collection of ocean racing yachts that are identical in size. Created by esteemed naval architect Tony Castro , these boats are the standout feature of the Clipper Race, specifically designed to excel in this demanding sailing competition.

What sets this race apart is the participation of amateur sailors, or “clipper crew,” who receive comprehensive training before embarking on their epic journey around the world. This inclusive approach to ocean racing has democratised the sport, allowing individuals from all walks of life to fulfill their dreams of sailing across vast oceans and distant horizons.

Each edition of the race features a distinct route, typically comprised of Host Ports located worldwide. Over the course of the race’s twenty-five-year history, more than fifty cities have served as hosts for the Clipper Race.

Where To Stay in Oban

Hotels, guest houses and self-catering in oban, viewing points.

Oban offers several prime locations for spectators to catch a glimpse of the Clipper Race yachts as they arrive in port. The Oban Bay Promenade provides an excellent vantage point for viewing the incoming vessels, with panoramic views of the harbor and surrounding coastline. Visitors can also head to McCaig’s Tower , where they can watch the yachts sail into port against the backdrop of the historic granite structure and scenic landscape.

The yachts will be berthing at North Pier Pontoons in Oban .

Local Cuisine

Oban is renowned for its fresh seafood and traditional Scottish cuisine, making it a paradise for food enthusiasts. During the Clipper Race stopover, visitors can indulge in a culinary adventure, sampling delicacies such as freshly caught seafood, hearty stews, and savoury pies at local eateries and seafood restaurants.

With its stunning scenery, rich maritime heritage, and lively atmosphere, Oban offers a host of activities and attractions for visitors to enjoy during the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race stopover. Whether you’re a sailing enthusiast, a food lover, or simply looking to explore the beauty of Scotland’s west coast, Oban promises an unforgettable experience that will leave you longing to return time and time again.

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.

• Events Calendar
• Conventions & Meetings
• Sports & Entertainment
• Cultural Programs
• Events in Review

Book an Event

Make It Happen! Book Today.

Ultimate Events DC Planning Guide

Explore Our Venues

COVID-19 Response

Your health & safety is our top priority.

You are now leaving our website. Do you wish to continue?

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!

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur elit

• Copy URL Copied to clipboard

Clipper Round the World Yacht Race

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 during its upcoming edition.

Clipper Race crew will experience the breathtaking beauty of this West Coast town and a warm Highlands welcome when they visit in July 2024 – the penultimate stop on the 40,000nm race around the world.

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. The Clipper 2023-24 Race sees nine Scottish crew taking part over the eight legs of the sailing event.

With no prior sailing experience necessary, Race Crew choose to take on the full round the world challenge or pick one or multiple race legs. Before setting sail, they take on an intensive and compulsory four-stage training programme before going on to tackle some of the most challenging conditions that Mother Nature can serve up, from the freezing temperatures and 40-foot waves of the North Pacific to the blistering heat and flat calms of the tropics.

Berthing at North Pier Pontoons in Oban, Race Crew will get a chance to take in the stunning scenery, rich history, warm hospitality, and diverse attractions on offer in this Scottish Gem, before heading off on the final race of this edition.

Whilst a brand-new stop on the Clipper Race circuit, Clipper Ventures has visited the destination as part of the company’s other events and initiatives. In 2021, in partnership with Our Isles and Oceans, the company ran four weeks of sail training programmes out of Oban. These sessions were for young people who had been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns. Its yachts returned to Oban in 2022 to run additional courses.

Oban has also featured on SKIRR Adventures’ itinerary. Clipper Ventures’ Arctic exploration brand, which takes crew up to the High Latitudes, has stopped to explore the West Coast town before heading up to Iceland and Greenland.

Laura Ayres, Managing Director at Clipper Ventures, added “As our first ever stop in Scotland, we know Oban locals will put on a huge Highlands welcome for our crew. The Clipper Race brings large numbers of international visitors to its Host Ports and their surrounding areas. It is our hope that this new partnership with Oban will bring a substantial economic impact to the local community.

“Oban is not only an incredible sailing destination but also has a rich history of adventure – the perfect match for our intrepid crew. The area’s great food and drink scene will also be welcomed after a tough Atlantic crossing. From previously visiting Oban through our other sailing programmes, we know this will make a brilliant penultimate stop on our circumnavigation, and the stopover will show off everything Oban has to offer and shine the spotlight on the town and surrounding region.”

Andrew Spence, Chief Executive of Bid4Oban, said “Oban is a fantastic and welcoming venue for the Clipper Round the World Race Yacht Race. Located in the heart of the magnificent West Coast of Scotland, it boasts superb sailing waters and is renowned for its spectacular coastal scenery and traditional Scottish Highland hospitality. Steeped in history dating back centuries, Oban is a true showcase of a traditional highland coastal town.”

Councilor Robin Currie, Leader of Argyll and Bute Council said “We are really excited to support this international event along with BID4Oban Ltd and look forward to welcoming the many crews, teams, sightseers and family members who follow this amazing race. Given that, this race attracts an international following it is sure to put Oban at the forefront of destination cruise sailing in Scotland and provide a welcome boost to the local economy.”

By the time teams arrive in Oban they will have sailed almost 40,000nm and crossed six oceans. The last stop before the emotional homecoming, the arrival into Oban will mark the end of the North Atlantic crossing, allowing the crew a few days to gather their thoughts before they embark on the short but intense race back to the finish line in Portsmouth.

This edition sees a number of Scottish crew taking part in the race, four of which will experience sailing into their home country after crossing the North Atlantic.

The crew are:

• Andrew Fisher, 59, Business Owner, Edinburgh, Legs 1 & 2
• Anne Sheehan, 53, Finance and Operations Director, Argyll, Leg 5
• Campbell Fleming, 55, Geologist, Glasgow, Legs 3 & 5
• Danielle Gray, 20, Student, Glasgow, Leg 8
• David Dunaway, 67, Surgeon, Glasgow, Leg 2
• Elizabeth Balmer, 29, PhD Student, North Ayreshire, Leg 6
• Hamish Mitchell,59, Air Traffic Controller, Ayrshire Legs 2 and 5
• Gill Petrie, 29, Broughty Ferry, Leg 2
• Joan Kelly, 59, Midwife, Inverness, Leg 1
• Laura Webb, 59, Programme Director, Stirling, Leg 3
• Mark Jaffray, 48, Offshore Supervisor, Aberdeenshire, Leg 6
• Michael Almond, 63, Senior Engineer, Fife, Legs 5 & 8
• Ross Dunlop, 60, Retired, Edinburgh, Circumnavigator
• Stephen Mackenzie, 56, Farmer, Ross & Cromarty, Legs 3, 4, 5, & 6
• Susan Smith, 64, Retired, Argyll, Legs 1 and 2
• Vicki Leslie, 39, Head Chef, Shetland, Circumnavigator

Stirling-born Race Skipper Max Rivers will also be leading his Our Isles and Oceans team around the globe. The Clipper Race fleet will depart Oban for the final race to Portsmouth, UK for Race Finish celebrations.

by Clipper Ventures

YachtBoatNews

Related articles.

100th Australian 18 Footers Championship

ORC European Championship 2024

Prada Cup Review & Hutchinson’s Mission

Clipper Round the World Yacht Race to dock in Oban for first time ever

Clipper Race crew will experience the breathtaking beauty of this West Coast town and a warm Highlands welcome when they visit in July 2024 – the penultimate stop on the 40,000nm race around the world.

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. The Clipper 2023-24 Race sees nine Scottish crew taking part over the eight legs of the sailing event.

Berthing at North Pier Pontoons in Oban, Race Crew will get a chance to take in the stunning scenery, rich history, warm hospitality, and diverse attractions on offer in this Scottish Gem, before heading off on the final race of this edition.

By the time teams arrive in Oban they will have sailed almost 40,000nm and crossed six oceans. The last stop before the emotional homecoming, the arrival into Oban will mark the end of the North Atlantic crossing, allowing the crew a few days to gather their thoughts before they embark on the short but intense race back to the finish line in Portsmouth.

This edition sees a number of Scottish crew taking part in the race, four of which will experience sailing into their home country after crossing the North Atlantic from the USA.

For more information –

Contact Details for Editors

Gordon Ritchie, GRM Marketing, [email protected], 07973101534

Website details

www.oban.org.uk

www.bid4oban.co.uk

www.argyll-bute.gov.uk

https://www.clipperroundtheworld.com/

Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!

About the author: sailscotland.

Related Posts

Largs Yacht Haven increases capacity

Troon becomes first Scottish marina to install Wi-Fi 6 technology

Sail away to iconic Argyll coast hotel

Glen Rosa returns following refurbishment

Scotland’s Marine Tourism Conference, A Great Success

Programme released for Scotland’s Tourism Marine Conference

Scotland’s Marine Tourism Conference 2024

Sail Scotland 2023 Photography Competition

Largs Yacht Haven receives Renewable Energy Guarantee certification

Sail Scotland Photography Competition

© Sail Scotland 2021 Website by We Do Fruition | All Rights Reserved | Term of Use | Privacy | Site Map

Damien Seguin: "feeding off the energy of the Olympics"

100 days to go, "solo around the world” exhibition at the musée de la marine.

One globe, one ocean

The Vendée Globe aims to use the media impact of the event to raise public awareness of ocean conservation throughout the round-the-world race. By sailing around the world, the Vendée Globe sailors are highlighting the fragility of our oceans faced with global warming. They are direct witnesses to the changes underway, particularly around Antarctica, a region that is under particular threat.

Soft mobility

The Vendée Globe adventure doesn't start in Les Sables d'Olonne! It starts from home, by using a low-carbon mode of transport to get to the race village. The organisers have set up a mobility committee to bring together all the public and private players involved and propose soft mobility solutions for getting to the village.

40 skippers

Fabrice Amedeo

Romain Attanasio

Éric Bellion

Yannick Bestaven

Jérémie Beyou

Arnaud Boissières

Louis Burton

Conrad Colman

Antoine Cornic

Manuel Cousin

Clarisse Crémer

Charlie Dalin

Samantha Davies

Violette Dorange

Benjamin Dutreux

Benjamin Ferré

Sam Goodchild

Oliver Heer

Boris Herrmann

Isabelle Joschke

Jean Le Cam

Tanguy Le Turquais

Nicolas Lunven

Sébastien Marsset

Paul Meilhat

Justine Mettraux

Giancarlo Pedote

Yoann Richomme

Thomas Ruyant

Damien Seguin

Kojiro Shiraishi

Sébastien Simon

Maxime Sorel

Guirec Soudée

Denis Van Weynbergh

Szabolcs Weöres

What is the Vendée Globe?

The Vendée Globe is a single-handed, non-stop, non-assisted round-the-world sailing race that takes place every four years. It is contested on IMOCA monohulls, which are 18 metres long. The skippers set off from Les Sables-d'Olonne in Vendée and sail around 45,000 kilometres around the globe, rounding the three legendary capes (Good Hope, Leeuwin and finally Cape Horn) before returning to Les Sables d'Olonne. The race has acquired an international reputation, attracting skippers from all over the world. Beyond the competition, it is above all an incredible human adventure.

Stay tuned #VG2024

Our partners, title partner, major partner, premium partner, official partners.

Official Suppliers

Un partners, ocean partners.

Technical Suppliers

Clipper Race Fleet Week at The Wharf Presented by Events DC

Experience the exhilaration of eleven Clipper 70 ocean racing yachts arriving in Washington, DC having completed seven out of eight legs of the 40,000nm eleven-month Clipper Race circumnavigation. This includes the Washington, DC home boat which has been flying the flag for the city since the race began last year. The fleet will be berthed at The Wharf from June 17 to June 25, with over 200+ Race Crew due in the Capital city having raced across the world's toughest oceans. In a week of FREE activity, come on down and hop on board to tour the yachts they call home, visit the fanzone to find out more about racing around the world, and watch the celebrations as they head off on the final leg of the adventure. Visit the Clipper Round the World Official Webpage

FREE Clipper Race Fanzone

Friday, June 21 | 5pm-9pm Saturday, June 22 - Sunday, June 23 | 11am-6pm Tuesday, June 24 | 6pm-9pm Visit the FREE Clipper Race Fanzone. Do you want to learn more about the Clipper Race, the world's toughest ocean challenge? Then come and visit the Clipper Race Fanzone, where you can learn about this incredible adventure and how you can get involved in the next edition. Tour a Clipper 70 racing yacht for FREE. Bring your family and step on board a Clipper 70 stripped down ocean racing yacht. Take an above and below deck tour and hear the stories of the intrepid Race Crew. There will also be live art demonstrations, live music, performances, and more.

Sounds of DC Floating Stage Schedule

Clipper Connect Business Series

Friday, June 21 | 3pm-5pm Clipper Connect Business Series is coming to Washington, DC. Delve into the critical topic of water conservation and protection. The esteemed panellists will lead discussion on the significance of the Clean Water Act and other vital initiatives aimed at safeguarding our precious waterways. Discover how businesses can play a pivotal role in preserving clean and safe environments for generations to come.

Interested in attending? Email [email protected] to register your interest.

Clipper Departure and Fireworks

Tuesday, June 25 | 6pm-10pm Featuring DJ Pryme and Crank Caviar 6:00 pm: Departure festivities begin featuring DJ Pryme and Crank Caviar 8:15 pm: Slipping lines ceremony 9:00 pm: Fireworks display and parade of sail 

Get Your Fill at The Wharf

Fresh seafood is a given on the waterfront. But The Wharf offers more, including a wide selection of distinctive choices for food, drinks, and entertainment while you eat. Watch the chefs prepare your meal. Listen to music. Or just people-watch while you savor the flavors of The Wharf.

Browse the Shops

Whether you’re looking for something specific or simply like to spend a few hours in our unique collection of stores, chances are you’ll find just what you’re looking for at our shops at The Wharf. And, of course, you can always treat yourself to a delicious dessert—or celebrate your shopping finds with a drink at one of our restaurants.

• AMERICA'S CUP
• CLASSIFIEDS
• NEWSLETTERS
• SUBMIT NEWS

Clipper Round the World Yacht Race to dock in Oban, Scotland for first time ever

Related Articles

Upcoming Events

You are using a very outdated website browser. Upgrade your browser or install Google Chrome to better experience this site.

Latest News: 2023 McIntyre Ocean Globe Prize giving!

days hrs mins secs

MAIDEN WINS McINTYRE OCEAN GLOBE

Maiden Triumphant Taking IRC Gold in McIntyre Ocean Globe Race Maiden ’s Win is official!

• Maiden UK (03) has won the McIntyre Ocean Globe Race taking first in IRC rankings and the first ever all-women crew to win an around the world yacht race!
• The international all-female crew crossed the Royal Yacht Squadron, Cowes finish line at 10:52 UTC, 16th April having sailed 6599 nm from Punta del Este on leg 4 of the OGR. 
• Their closest rival for IRC Overall title Triana FR (66) needed to finish by the morning of the 22nd  – but is now facing headwinds 150 nm from Cowes with an ETA of 17:00 Tuesday 23rd. Maiden ’s win is now official!

Maiden UK (03) has won the McIntyre Ocean Globe Race taking first in IRC handicap rankings against a 14 strong fleet of very experienced and committed sailors. They have also been written into the history books as the first ever all-women crew to win an around the world yacht race.

The former Whitbread yacht, sailed by an all-female international crew has taken the coveted title after 153d 2h 16m 53s of racing around the world. Virtually none of the crew had previously faced such an epic challenge and only one had sailed in the Southern Ocean before. 

They crossed the Royal Yacht Squadron, Cowes finish line at 10:52 UTC, 16th April, in a haze of excitement having sailed 6599 nm from Punta del Este on leg 4 of the OGR, making it look easy, when all knew it was not. 

It has been a tense wait for the girls over the past few days to watch if second placed entrant on IRC, French yacht Triana , could reach the finish line early enough to beat them on handicap, but that is now impossible. 

The crew has won fans worldwide and have impressed with their dedication to spreading their message of education for all women, their consistent work ethic and their unquestionable skills on the water. They’ve faced squalls, broken watermakers forcing them to collect rainwater, blown spinnakers and unraveling Abba cassette tapes. They’ve crossed the equator twice, taking in the three Great Capes including Cape Horn . Maiden now returns to her Southampton home waters ready for retirement in as good a shape as the day she left 218 previously. All this was done in the spirit of the McIntyre OGR, sailing like it’s 1973. 

Skipper Heather Thomas , the youngest skipper in the fleet, spoke of her pride in taking first place. 

It’s very exciting to be the first all-female crew to win an around the world race. It’s a historic moment. The girls have worked really hard for it and we’re very proud of our achievement. We have the best crew and the best boat so what can I say! To those we raced against it’s been a pleasure to get to know them and we’re going to miss them. It’s been an incredible first OGR and I hope the ones that follow are as good. Maiden won’t do the next one, but I will.  Heather Thomas, skipper of Maiden.

Heather has said from race start they were “in it to win it” , something they achieved while consistently ranking in the top half of the fleet. In Leg 1 they came in third in line honours and IRC. In Leg 2, fourth in both line honours and IRC and Leg 3, Auckland to Punta del Este , second in line honours and 4th in IRC. 

She speaks very highly of her talented crew, hailing from the UK, Antigua, USA, South Africa, France and Afghanistan. Heather describes being a tight-knit team, with first mate Rachel Burgess , as one of Maiden ’s main strengths.

We work together so well. Everyone brings something to the team, without this we wouldn’t achieve what we do.    Heather Thomas, skipper of Maiden.

Don McIntyre , OGR Founder, speaks about his delight at the Maiden success. 

Every one of the 220 sailors who have sailed, or who are still sailing today in this OGR has a story and did it for special reasons. Now their lives will be changed forever, none more so than the crew of Maiden with this beautiful and historic win against some very serious teams. This OCEAN GLOBE RACE is a story about humans recreating the early Whitbread races and for the first time in 30 years, giving ordinary sailors a chance to race around the world in classic yachts. To see Maiden recreate their glorious Whitbread history and WIN the OGR is and will always be an inspiration to many. BRAVO indeed!!    What an absolutely stunning victory for skipper Heather and this eclectic mix of international girls and skills onboard Maiden . Wow!  They have embraced this OGR adventure at every level, performing on the water, facing completely unknown Southern Ocean challenges with courage and determination and representing their cause like real champions – In ports they were the perfect ambassadors for life, embracing every day and every minute with true passion. We loved them!  Don McIntyre, OGR Founder

It’s fitting that Maiden should take the McIntyre Ocean Globe-winning title with her poignant Whitbread history. Designed by Bruce Farr , the 58-foot aluminum hulled yacht came fourth in the 1981-82 Whitbread, known then as Disque D’Or 3 . She was then renamed Stabilo Boss for the 1986-87 BOC single-handed challenge coming seventh. In 1987 she was bought by Tracy Edwards MBE , who made headlines in the 1989 Whitbread skippering the iconic yacht around the world with an all-female crew. 

The final prize giving and presentation of the McIntyre Ocean Globe Race winners trophy, hosted by Translated 9 , will be in Rome Italy on the 21st June 2024 . There are currently seven McIntyre OGR entrants still racing toward the finish line.    

Don McIntyre OGR Chairman and Founder

Don McIntyre is the founder and underwriter of the goldengloberace.com the oceangloberace.com and the minigloberace.com . Follow him at mcintyreadventure.com .

• ← Prev Post
• Next Post →

O°G°R Latest News

Crew Stories

Join our mailing list

Get all the latest McIntyre Adventure news delivered to your email.

Technical Partners

Official suppliers.

Associations

Published on January 15th, 2024 | by Editor

Not your typical race around the world

Published on January 15th, 2024 by Editor -->

A mind-numbing amount of round the world races are currently underway:

• Global Solo Challenge • Ocean Globe Race • Clipper Round the World Yacht Race • ARKEA ULTIM CHALLENGE-Brest

But for those that want a more leisurely pace and seek to enjoy the sights along the 26000 nm route, the 13th edition of the World ARC circumnavigation rally set sail on January 13 from Rodney Bay, Saint Lucia under bright blue Caribbean skies.

For the 27 yachts that started the 2024-25 edition, the first destination is an 815 nm passage to Santa Marta in Columbia.

“We were all buzzing as we crossed the line,” noted Tom Ogilvie on his Moody 54 Dilema. “Pre-start tension behind us and a good breeze in the sails – long may it continue!”

Adds Lane Jacobs, owner of Bristol 57 Corsair (USA), “I’ve wanted to sail around the world since 1976, and it’s taken me almost 50 years to learn to sail, save the money, get the right boat, and find the time to do it. I can’t tell you how happy I am to be here at last for the start of World ARC.”

From Santa Marta the fleet will explore the San Blas Islands of Panama, before a Panama Canal transit in February and on into the Pacific to Galapagos, French Polynesia, and Oceania.

Helmut and Babsi Lexen are joining World ARC for a second circumnavigation, this time in their new Nautitech 482 Freya (DEU). “We love it so much, particularly the camaraderie among the sailors. Our favorite destination, which we can’t wait to return to, is Fakarava in French Polynesia.”

A total of 37 yachts will take part in the rally over the next 15 months as it sails around the world, with the option of breaking the rally half way in Australia or Indonesia to extend the adventure with independent exploration. Fourteen yachts will leave the rally in Australia or Indonesia with another 11 joining, the majority of which took part in World ARC 2023.

Nineteen of the yachts starting from Saint Lucia sailed with World Cruising Club across the Atlantic, crossing with the 2022 or 2023 editions of the ARC and ARC Plus rallies.

Late starters for leg one include Axonite (NLD), Abide (GBR), and Crazy Horse (USA), all of which are expected to be underway within a day. Esperanza (USA) will join the fleet in Santa Marta.

Sixteen yachts are already signed-up for the next edition of World ARC, which will set sail from the Caribbean in January 2025.

Event details – Entry list – Tracking

Tags: World ARC

Related Posts

No related posts found.

© 2024 Scuttlebutt Sailing News. Inbox Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved. made by VSSL Agency .

• Privacy Statement
• Advertise With Us

Get Your Sailing News Fix!

Your download by email.

• Your Name...
• Your Email... *
• Phone This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

One year to the start of The Ocean Race Europe in Kiel !!

Franck cammas is awarded the 2024 magnus olsson prize.

The French ‘sailor of the decade’ is recognised for his spirit and impact on the sport

The Ocean Race Atlantic is set to launch in 2026

The event will feature mixed crews and a strong ocean health component as teams race between two iconic cities

11th Hour Racing Team wins The Ocean Race - one year on

It's called the toughest test of a team for reason

One year ago - WindWhisper Racing Team sweep to victory in VO65 Sprint Cup

"at one point i wasn't steering the boat, the orca was...".

One Year Later: Team Jajo Reflects on Their Unforgettable Orca Encounter

• Racing with Purpose

• boat accident

Divers find 5 bodies during search of superyacht wreckage after it sank off Sicily, 1 still missing

ROME -- Divers searching the wreck of a superyacht that sank off Sicily found the bodies of five passengers Wednesday and searched for one more as questions intensified about why the vessel sank so quickly when a nearby sailboat remained largely unscathed.

Rescue crews unloaded three body bags from rescue vessels that pulled into port at Porticello. Salvatore Cocina, head of the Sicily civil protection agency, said two other bodies had also been found in the wreckage for a total of five.

The discovery made clear the operation to search the hull on the seabed 50 meters (164 feet) underwater had quickly turned into a recovery one, not a rescue, given the amount of time that had passed and that no signs of life had emerged over three days of searching, maritime experts said.

The Bayesian, a 56-meter (184-foot) British-flagged yacht, went down in a storm early Monday as it was moored about a kilometer (a half-mile) offshore. Civil protection officials said they believed the ship was struck by a tornado over the water, known as a waterspout, and sank quickly.

Fifteen people escaped in a lifeboat and were rescued by a nearby sailboat. One body was recovered Monday - that of the ship's chef, Recaldo Thomas, of Antigua.

Thomas was born in Canada, according to his cousin David Isaac, but would visit his parents' homeland of Antigua as a child, moving permanently to the tiny eastern Caribbean island in his early 20s. Italian officials previously listed Antigua as the nationality of someone on board.

The fate of six missing passengers had driven the search effort, including British tech magnate Mike Lynch, his 18-year-old daughter and associates who had successfully defended him in a recent U.S. federal fraud trial.

Lynch's spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday.

RELATED: 2 Americans among 6 passengers still missing after superyacht sinks off coast of Sicily

Meanwhile, investigators from the Termini Imerese Public Prosecutor's Office were acquiring evidence for their criminal investigation, which they opened immediately after the tragedy even though no formal suspects have been publicly identified.

Questions abound about what caused the superyacht, built in 2008 by Italian shipyard Perini Navi, to sink so quickly, when the nearby Sir Robert Baden Powell sailboat was largely spared and managed to rescue the survivors.

Was it merely the case of a freak waterspout that knocked the ship to its side and allowed water to pour in through open hatches? What was the position of the keel, which on a large sailboat such as the Bayesian might have been retractable, to allow it to enter shallower ports?

"There's a lot of uncertainty as to whether it had a lifting keel and whether it might have been up," said Jean-Baptiste Souppez, a fellow of the Royal Institute of Naval Architects and the editor of the Journal of Sailing Technology. "But if it had, then that would reduce the amount of stability that the vessel had, and therefore made it easier for it to roll over on its side," he said in an interview.

The captain of the Sir Robert Baden Powell sailboat, which came to the Bayesian's rescue, said his craft had sustained minimal damage - the frame of a sun awning broke - even with winds that he estimated reached 12 on the Beaufort wind scale, which is the highest, hurricane-strength force on the scale.

He said he had remained anchored with his engines running to try to maintain the ship's position as the storm, which was forecast, rolled in.

"Another possibility is to heave anchor before the storm and to run downwind at open sea," Karsten Bornersaid in a text message. But he said that might not have been a viable option for the Bayesian, given its trademark 75-meter (246-foot) tall mast.

"If there was a stability problem, caused by the extremely tall mast, it would not have been better at open sea," he said.

Yachts like the Bayesian are required to have watertight, sub-compartments that are specifically designed to prevent a rapid, catastrophic sinking even when some parts fill with water.

"So for the vessel to sink, especially this fast, you are really looking at taking water on board very quickly, but also in a number of locations along the length of the vessel, which again indicates that it might have been rolled over on its side," Souppez said.

Italian coast guard and fire rescue divers continued the underwater search in dangerous and time-consuming conditions. Because of the wreck's depth, which requires special precautions, divers working in tag teams could only spend about 12 minutes at a time searching.

The limited dive time is designed in part to avoid decompression sickness, also known as the "bends," which can occur when divers stay underwater for long periods and ascend too quickly, allowing nitrogen gas dissolved in the blood to form bubbles.

"The longer you stay, the slower your ascent has to be," said Simon Rogerson, the editor of SCUBA magazine. He said the tight turnaround time suggests the operation's managers are trying to limit the risks and recovery time after each dive.

"It sounds like they're operating essentially on no decompression or very tight decompression, or they're being extremely conservative," he said.

Additionally, the divers were working in extremely tight spaces, with debris floating around them, limited visibility and oxygen tanks on their backs.

"We are trying to advance in tight spaces, but any single thing slows us down," said Luca Cari, spokesman for the fire rescue service. "An electric panel could set us back for five hours. These aren't normal conditions. We're at the limit of possibility."

"It's not a question of entering the cabin to inspect it," he added. "They've arrived at the level of the cabins, but it's not like you can open the door," he said.

The Italian coast guard said they had reinforced their dive teams and were using underwater remote-controlled robots, which can stay out for six or seven hours at a time and record the surroundings.

The lack of any signs of life and the recovery of bodies led outside experts to conclude that the search was now a recovery effort and investigation to determine how the tragedy had unfolded.

"I think the fact that there's been quite a lot of diving presence around the vessel and that they haven't been able to pick up any signs of life inside the vessel, is, is unfortunately, not a particularly good sign," said Souppez.

Winfield reported from Rome and Kirka from London. Associated Press visual journalists Trisha Thomas in Rome and Silvia Stellacci in Porticello and reporter Anika Kentish in St. John's, Antigua contributed.

Related Topics

• BOAT ACCIDENT
• SEVERE WEATHER

Boat Accident

What we know about why a luxury sailing boat sank off Sicily coast

2 Americans among 6 missing passengers from sunken superyacht

Man with north suburban ties dies while working on Alaska fishing boat

Man killed, 10 injured after CA boat crashes with rocks

Top stories.

DNC Day 4: Kamala Harris shares vision of her presidency

Kamala Harris invites voters to chart a 'new way forward'

Pro-Palestinian protesters hold final march on Chicago DNC

Read Kamala Harris' full speech from the DNC

Protest ends peacefully as VP Harris accepts nomination | LIVE updates

Common performs at DNC watch party at Soldier Field

Toddler mistakenly served alcohol at restaurant: 'She was swaying'

What Gus Walz means to the disability community

RFK Jr. is planning to drop out of the 2024 presidential race and endorse Trump

Trump's running mate, sen. jd vance of ohio, told nbc news in an interview wednesday that "there's been a lot of communication back and forth" between kennedy and his campaign, by vaughn hillyard, dasha burns, katherine koretski and alec hernández | nbc news • published august 21, 2024 • updated on august 21, 2024 at 6:47 pm.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. intends to end his independent presidential campaign and endorse former President Donald Trump , according to two sources familiar with the plans.

The sources cautioned that talks are ongoing but said there will be clarity by the end of the week. One of the sources said the campaigns are working toward a joint appearance.

Philadelphia news 24/7: Watch NBC10 free wherever you are

The decision to drop out will end the most prominent third-party candidacy in the race. Kennedy announced Wednesday that he will give a campaign speech addressing “his path forward,” days after his running mate  said the campaign faced a choice  about staying in the election or dropping out to back  Trump .

Kennedy’s campaign announced he will hold the event in Phoenix on Friday. Trump, meanwhile, is also set to host an event on Friday night, in Glendale, a Phoenix suburb. 

Get top local stories in Philly delivered to you every morning. Sign up for NBC Philadelphia's News Headlines newsletter.

Nicole Shanahan, Kennedy's running mate, said Tuesday that the ticket is weighing two options. One is to stay in the race and "risk" a Harris-Walz presidency, as she put it in a podcast interview, while the other is to drop out of the race and "join forces" with Trump.

Persuading Kennedy to back Trump has been an ongoing project of Trump's eldest son, Donald Jr., former Fox News host Tucker Carlson and wealthy donor Omeed Malik, according to a source familiar with the efforts who requested anonymity to divulge internal campaign deliberations. The three men have worked behind the scenes in meetings and calls with both principals to negotiate Kennedy’s exit and endorsement, the source said.

U.S. & World

Stories that affect your life across the U.S. and around the world.

Supreme Court partly grants GOP request to enforce Arizona's proof-of-citizenship voting law

Why are women wearing white at the DNC? A look behind the historic reason

Trump's running mate, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, said in an interview Wednesday that "there's been a lot of communication back and forth" between Kennedy and his campaign.

"I haven’t spoken to RFK personally, but I know there’s been a lot of communication back and forth between RFK, between the campaign, between this campaign," Vance said. "Look, our argument to RFK, and I’ll make it right now, because, of course, he hasn’t dropped out yet, is, look: If you want a Democratic Party that protected American workers and stood for strong borders, maybe disagreed with Republicans on things like tax policy, that party doesn’t exist anymore."

Vance also said Trump wouldn't promise a Cabinet position for Kennedy's endorsement.

And Tuesday,  Trump told CNN  that he would be open to Kennedy's joining his administration if he is elected. Asked whether he'd consider putting Kennedy in the administration if he backed him and he won, Trump said, “I probably would." He added, "I like him a lot. I respect him a lot."

Mary Beth Cahill, a senior adviser to the Democratic National Committee, slammed Kennedy in a statement: “Desperate men do desperate things. RFK Jr. was recruited by MAGA, funded by MAGA, and parroted MAGA talking points. No one should be shocked if he formalizes his relationship in an attempt to maintain relevance.”

Trump and Kennedy met in Milwaukee last month during the Republican convention, which came days after the assassination attempt against Trump.

"I know the president's been working hard for that, but it's completely separate from whether RFK gets a Cabinet position," Vance said. "It's about welcoming a lot of those Democrats who feel abandoned by the party of Kamala Harris."

Kennedy's  presence on the  campaign  trail has been minimal  in recent weeks. He hasn't hosted a public, campaign-sponsored event since early July, and Shanahan hasn't been seen on the trail in months. Kennedy's standing in public polling has slipped, too.

The campaign has faced a string of damaging stories, from groping allegations against Kennedy from a former family babysitter to the bizarre story that Kennedy picked up a bear carcass on the side of the road years ago and used it to stage a bicycle accident in New York's Central Park.

In a podcast interview , Kennedy didn't specifically deny the groping allegation, which surfaced in a Vanity Fair article in July, saying:   "I am not a church boy. I am not running like that. I have said I had a very, very rambunctious youth. I said in my announcement speech that I have so many skeletons in my closet that if they could all vote, I could run for king of the world."

"I'm not going to comment on it," he added when asked again about the specific allegation.

And he also faces financial troubles. The campaign closed July with almost $3.5 million in debt, according to the most recent campaign finance report. Those documents also show that Shanahan, who has been pouring her own millions into the campaign, received a refund of almost $1 million in July.

Kennedy's endeavor for ballot access in all 50 states has also hit a roadblock. He was recently disqualified from the ballot in New York state when a judge ruled that his home address used on signature petitions wasn't his place of residency. 

This article first appeared on  NBCNews.com . More from NBC News:

• Bodies found inside luxury yacht that sank off Sicily, source tells NBC News
• Manhunt for escaped murderer ends in SWAT standoff in Chicago restaurant
• Florida man sentenced to life for killing man over dog poop screams at widow: 'That's why I killed him!'

This article tagged under:

Daily Briefing: Coach Walz at the pep rally

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz introduced himself to Democratic delegates with a folksy, energized tone. A high-ranking World Health Organization says “Mpox is not the new COVID.’’ Four bodies have been recovered from a luxury yacht that sank off the coast of Sicily.

🙋🏼‍♀️ I'm Nicole Fallert , Daily Briefing author.  Saboteurs placed bugs in a breakfast buffet at the DNC .

'A dad in plaid' accepts the Democratic VP nomination

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz played up his role as the everyman on the Democratic ticket at the Democratic National Convention Wednesday night by talking about his time as a high school teacher and coach while accepting his party's nomination for vice president.

Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar introduced her home-state governor as a “dad in plaid" as Walz addressed Americans who had no idea who he was until Kamala Harris picked him as her running mate two weeks ago.

• "I haven't given a lot of big speeches like this, but I have given a lot of pep talks" : Introduced by former football players he used to coach, Walz came across as direct, unpretentious, blunt and funny.
• More from Wednesday : The DNC convention's third night was dominated mostly by speakers who talked up Harris' record as a prosecutor, whether fighting cartels or domestic abusers. It also continued to lean into the theme of freedom, particularly on reproductive rights.
• Harris is set to accept the Democratic presidential nomination Thursday night, making her with the first Black and Asian American woman topping a presidential ballot.

Here's the rundown of the final night of the DNC and more from USA TODAY's reporters in Chicago:

• Tim Walz's son Gus has a learning disorder. Can his visibility help disabled Americans ?
• Here's why some Black voters greet the Harris campaign with apathy .
• G otta get your "Cat Lady" t-shirts at the DNC .
•  Welcome to "Hotties for Harris."
• Protesters planned to overtake DNC. Instead, hostages' families were welcomed .

Here's what to do if you get mpox

With the discovery of new cases outside Africa as an emerging strain that appears more contagious, concern about mpox is rising as a new variant has spread to at least 12 nations in Africa and one in Europe. It typically spreads through bodily fluids or close physical contact, as well as through contact with contaminated objects. Mpox often manifests in a rash on the hands, feet, chest, face, mouth and around the genital area. There’s no specific medication for the painful and itchy lesions caused by mpox, but doctors say symptoms can be managed with over-the-counter medicines. Read more

More of Thursday's headlines

• Reports: RFK Jr. to exit race .
• Trump is heading back to court .
• A jobs report revision suggests the U.S. added 818,000 fewer jobs than believed.
• Teens and kids with long COVID show surprising new symptoms .
• Take a game break. Our expert Sally has the crossword answers .

What's the weather today?  Check your local forecast here .

Canadian railway work stoppage has US effects

Canadian National Railway and Canadian Pacific Kansas City announced the lockout of their Canadian workers on Thursday after failed labor talks, resulting in a shutdown of their rail networks. Canada is the world's second-largest country by area and relies heavily on rail transport. The stoppage is set to cripple shipments of grain, potash and coal while also slowing the transport of petroleum products, chemicals, and autos. Read more

Fifth body found inside the Bayesian yacht

The body of British tech magnate Mike Lynch was retrieved on Thursday from the wreck of a yacht that sank earlier this week off Sicily during a tempest, a source close to the rescue operation said. Lynch set off on the cruise late last month to celebrate his acquittal on fraud charges in the U.S. that marked a decade of legal challenges. Lynch's 18-year daughter Hannah is still missing, the source said. The bodies of the other four people who vanished when the boat went down were recovered from the yacht on Wednesday. Read more

Keep scrolling

• "Ben Affleck, hang in there!"
• Entering Travis Kelce , actor .
• These sharks just wanted a girls night .
• The Yankees roasted this Little League coach .
• Taylor Swift finally addressed the "devastating" alleged Vienna terrorist plot .

People are behaving badly on the plane. What do you do?

There's a problem on the plane — the unruly passengers. The Federal Aviation Administration continues to report dozens of cases of air rage to the FBI in the past year. If you witness crimes on a plane, especially those that involve sexual misconduct, experts say you should help document the incident and try to distract the assailant, as well as report it to cabin crew members or other authorities. Read more

Photo of the day: Little League, big game

The Little League World Series continues on Thursday with must-see competition . The first game will feature Japan, who is coming off a loss to Chinese Taipei and will be playing against Venezuela to kick off the day's action.

Nicole Fallert is a newsletter writer at USA TODAY, sign up for the email here . Want to send Nicole a note? Shoot her an email at [email protected] .

This RI resident and URI grad will be coaching the U.S. team in the 37th America’s Cup

When the U.S. team in the America's Cup preliminary regatta takes to the waters off Barcelona on Thursday, it will be a Newport resident and University of Rhode Island graduate coaching the crew.

Tom Burnham grew up sailing in Orange, Connecticut. In his senior year of high school, already competing at the international level, Burnham raced in the 420s championship in Yugoslavia, where his teammates included some URI sailors who sang the university’s praises.

More: Mark Patinkin: When the America’s Cup was a huge deal around here

“I’ve sailed all my life. I was never a standout superstar but I was always involved in sailing and loved sailing,” Burnham said from Barcelona, Spain, as American Magic prepares for the 37th America’s Cup, which starts Thursday with the preliminary regatta. “It was one of the main reasons I went to URI, frankly. And the sailing team was really good at the time.”

In his four years at Kingston, the sailing team won several national championships and reached the World Collegiate Keelboat Championships (also called the Student Yachting World Cup) all four years. In 1990, the Rams became the only U.S. team to win the World Cup. It’s a distinction they still hold 34 years later.

In 1997, Burnham was living in Newport, doing some coaching and taking care of people’s boats, when he got an invitation to go out for a day with America’s Cup challenger Young America, which was training in nearby Quonset Point. That turned into a job that started a 10-year run of competing in the America’s Cup, including two campaigns with the Italian team, Luna Rossa. In 2017, he returned to the America’s Cup as head coach of Sweden’s Artemis Racing.

He was hired about two years ago to coach the New York Yacht Club American Magic, with a goal to win the 37th America’s Cup, returning the Cup to the yacht club that held it for 132 years. The mission starts Thursday, when American Magic gets its first close-up look at the four challengers — Britain, Italy, Switzerland, and France – and defending champion Emirates Team New Zealand in preliminary regatta. The racing starts for real Aug. 29 with the start of the Louis Vuitton Cup round-robin regatta. The regatta’s winner will face New Zealand for the America’s Cup, starting Oct. 12.

In those two years readying for the Cup, American Magic has put together its eight-man crew and substitutes and built a brand new AC75, the 75-foot-long monohull racing yacht that the Cup adopted in 2021. The yacht – Patriot – was the work of the club’s more than 40 engineers, about a third of the club’s total workforce. Patriot was built in Portsmouth at the yacht club’s manufacturing facility and flown to Barcelona on a cargo plane.

“The whole technology, construction, and design side is really a big part of the program with America’s Cup teams,” he says. “So that’s really exciting.”

Asked about his role as head coach, his first thoughts go to creating an inclusive team atmosphere.

“My real goal, my focus as a coach, is to create the environment for learning … where people feel comfortable asking questions and allowing themselves to be open to input, feedback and learning together,” he says.

As the crew practices off the Port of Barcelona, Burnham coaches from a chase boat, following behind Patriot and communicating directly with its crew. When racing begins, he will be in the chase boat, but stationed to the side of the race course and not allowed communication with Patriot.

“That’s part of the reason why fostering this atmosphere and getting guys to work together and problem-solve is so important,” he says. “They have to be self-reliant and deal with things as they come up while they’re racing.”

Asked to handicap the Cup, Burnham starts with his standard line: It will be close and come down to execution on race day.

But he adds: “I certainly like our sailing team … and I think the boats are going to be relatively similar. There are going to be some boats that have better days than others in terms of wind conditions. There might be some teams that are great in heavy air but not so good in light air. These are all things we’re going to find out in the next couple of weeks.

“I think that we’re doing well and we’re in a good place, but I’m certainly not overconfident about it either.”

‘Got to crush them’: Foes turn teammates as Aussie Tom Slingsby joins US team for America’s Cup

A fortnight after advising Olympic gold medallist Matt Wearn, champion Australian Tom Slingsby resumes his quest to win the world’s most famous sailing race in Barcelona tonight. But this time he will be representing the Stars and Stripes of the United States.

The Sydneysider will be at the helm of American Magic’s Patriot in its bid to reclaim for the New York Yacht Club the Americas Cup it once had a stranglehold on until a famous Aussie upset in 1983 when the John Bertrand-skipper Australia II triumphed in Newport.

Watch the 37th America’s Cup LIVE on Fox Sports, available on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial Today >

EXPLAINER: Format, rule changes explained as world’s oldest sporting battle resumes

Slingsby, who won a gold medal for Australia in the London Olympics and skippers the Australian team in the SailGP series, has a US passport courtesy of his mother.

But on signing with American Magic to spearhead their quest to win the 37th Americas Cup , he said he made it clear to his team that he was an “Aussie through and through”.

“I was born and raised in Australia,” he said.

“I think of myself as an Australian but if I can compete for any other country, I’m glad it’s the US and I can make my mum proud.”

Slingsby’s co-helmsman Paul Goodison, an English sailor and fellow Olympic gold medallist, describes his partner in the assault on the world’s oldest sporting contest as an “arch rival” who he has shared an “abrasive” relationship with for well over a decade.

“We’ve competed against each other in the Olympic classes for the best part of 10 years (and) we were archrivals for a long time,” Goodison told The Independent .

“And we’ve been through cycles of being best mates, and then very abrasive, and then mates, and then abrasive. And it all comes from when you’re competing against somebody.

“You can’t really like them. You’ve got to crush them. You’ve got to beat them. And that was a big part of the Olympic cycle. But also with that, you gain a huge amount of respect. If you were to choose another guy to be beside you racing one of these, he’d be top of your list.”

Slingsby, 39, is at the top of the list with good reason.

A highly-decorated athlete who was acclaimed as the world’s top sailor last year, he is hugely respected in yachting and boating circles in Australia and around the world.

Inspired as a teenager by the brilliance of those competing in the 2000 Olympic Regatta on Sydney Harbour, Slingsby was drawn to the sport by its competitiveness and beauty.

Just 12 years later he won an Olympic gold medal in the laser (dinghy) class at the London Games to spark what has become an Australian dominance of the sport.

Tom Burton clinched gold in the class in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 while Wearn became the first Australian to defend his gold medal in the division with his feats in France earlier this month.

After effectively winning the Paris Olympic gold medal twice - his first race against Cypriot Pavlos Kontides was abandoned when Wearn was within sight of winning due to a lack of wind - the Western Australian said Slingsby had boosted his confidence with a phone call.

“He reached out, which was pretty cool. He told me to enjoy it, have fun and have a crack,” Wearn said.

While Wearn bobbed about in the Gulf of Lyon for a period in his dinghy during the Olympics, there will be no lull in terms of pace when Slingsby and Goodison share duties piloting Patriot off the Barcelona coastline.

The AC75 yachts featuring in the 37th Americas Cup have been described as akin to being on an F1 car on the water and regularly reach speeds beyond 50 knots (92kmh) in races.

American Magic is among the six entrants which will compete in Port Vell in a series of races to determine who will challenge defending champion Team New Zealand for the prestigious Cup in a competition running from August 22 through to mid-October.

Slingsby is keeping the Australian spirit alive in the Americas Cup and has enjoyed previous success in the race as a member of the Oracle Team which won in 2013.

It was his multi-class expertise that prompted the NYYC to poach him in 2022 to partner Goodison at the helm in the lead-up to the American Magic’s assault on the 2024 edition.

“As a previous winner of the America’s Cup, Tom knows what it takes to climb that mountain,” team skipper Terry Hutchison, who holds an on-shore role, said.

The six boats will compete in the third and final preliminary regatta in Barcelona from Thursday night (AEST).

The event does not count towards progression or elimination, but results can be used later for tiebreakers, while the regatta also gives the teams an opportunity to get a glimpse at the competition before the Louis Vuitton Cup — which begins next week.

• Crew Login Forgotten Password

Enter your details below for the race of your life

Select a race

On-demand: clipper 2023-24 race | grand finale.

Portsmouth, UK | 27/07/2024 | 10:30 BST

Experience the thrill of the Clipper Race Grand Finale from home with our exclusive livestream. Watch all the action as the fleet crosses the finish line, accompanied by real-time commentary from expert hosts. Whether you're a sailing enthusiast or a first-time viewer, the live updates and insights will keep you fully engaged and feeling part of the excitement.