Now that the Clipper Race fleet is docked in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam, we’re looking back on a trio of amazing stopovers in Australia.
FREMANTLE
The race to Fremantle, our first Australian port of call, was no ordinary feat. The fleet embarked on Race 4: Marlow Roaring Forties Challenge, which saw Race Crew face colossal swells, fierce weather, and freezing temperatures during the 20 plus days at sea. Victory in Race 4 was claimed by Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam, followed by Zhuhai and Dare To Lead securing second and third places, respectively. The fleet’s arrival in Fremantle received an incredible reception, with the hospitality extended by the Fremantle Sailing Club and locals setting the tone for an enjoyable and relaxing stopover for Race Crew.
One standout event was an inaugural cricket match, pitting the Clipper XI against Fremantle locals. The match was hotly contested but everyone shared a post-match beer and barbecue. The Clipper Race also hosted a captivating talk, 'Myths & Madness.' Deputy Race Director Dale Smyth and AQP Maisie Bristow took centre stage, offering insights into life as an ocean racer, drawing a crowd of over 100 attendees.
NEWCASTLE
Race 5: Sta-Lok Endurance Test, saw teams navigate the notorious Tasman Sea and compete in a 2,500-nautical-mile race around the south of Australia up to Newcastle, New South Wales – a brand-new Host Port on the Clipper Race circuit. Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam secured a back-to-back win, holding off Dare To Lead and Zhuhai, who made up the remaining podium places.
Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club (NCYC) welcomed the Clipper Race fleet for the first time, and it was a truly memorable stopover. A great programme of partnership activations was delivered, including a mangrove clean up in collaboration with Take 3 for the Sea, with a cultural Welcome to Country Smoking Ceremony beforehand and some outrigger canoe racing with the local club afterwards. Over 1000 people from the local community stepped on board a Clipper 70, seeing what life is like for the sailors.
Race Start day was a spectacle, with many dignitaries in attendance including the Chinese Consul General, who met Race Crew on Zhuhai and Qingdao and toured a Clipper 70. What followed was an action-packed start to Race 6 with crowds lining the Newcastle foreshore.
AIRLIE BEACH
Race 6 from Newcastle to Airlie Beach was nothing short of a high-stakes sprint. Zhuhai not only secured a fourth consecutive podium but clinched its first victory in the circumnavigation. Washington, DC came in second, followed closely by Our Isles and Oceans in third, both picking up their first podium places of the race.
In addition to a busy stopover at Coral Sea Marina, full of free public yacht tours and tourism activities, the Our Isles and Oceans team organised a lively Ceilidh. The night was filled with Burns Night festivities, including a live ceilidh band with bagpipes, and an abundance of tartan. The event raised over £8,000 for UNICEF, a huge success.