A whole quokka fun: Fremantle set as Host Port Partner

The Western Australia port of Fremantle is set to welcome the Clipper Race fleet as it joins the line-up of Host Ports for the 2025-26 edition.  

Fremantle will host the fleet of 10 stripped-back 70ft ocean racing yachts this December after the high octane 5,000 nautical mile Leg 3: The Roaring Forties, from Cape Town, South Africa. This year marks the sixth time the Clipper Race has stopped in Fremantle, and 20 years since it first called in. 

Arriving into Fremantle will be highly anticipated by Race Crew, not only for the sausage sizzle on arrival, but also for some much-needed respite from the Roaring Forties. The stopover will also kick off the festive season before teams spend the Christmas holidays at sea.   

Obligatory Australia arrival sausage sizzles on the 2023-24 edition

Fremantle Sailing Club, with its rich history dating back to 1885, will once again provide world-class facilities and hospitality to the Clipper Race crews and supporters. The club's location overlooking the pristine waters of the Indian Ocean offers an ideal setting for the stopover.   

Says Craig Evans, CEO, Fremantle Sailing Club: "Fremantle Sailing Club is once again honoured and excited to be welcoming the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race back to Fremantle, Western Australia. The energy and spirit that the Clipper Race brings to our club is unmatched, and our management team, members, volunteers, and the Fremantle community look forward to delivering another warm and memorable stopover for all involved.” 

Historically, the Fremantle stopover has always had an abundance of activities, trips and initiatives for Race Crew and supporters to do, see and get involved with. From visiting picturesque Rottnest Island, which boasts the world's largest wild quokka population, to sustainability initiatives, brewery tours and last edition's inaugural Commodore’s eleven vs Clipper Race eleven cricket match, it's a stopover that packs in a lot of fun and action.  

Clipper All Stars take on game of cricket

The stopover will also serve as the starting point for Leg 4, the Australian Coast-to-Coast Leg, which will see the crews race from Fremantle to Australia’s East Coast. 

The upcoming 2025-26 edition of the Clipper Race gets underway from Portsmouth, UK, on 31 August. Stops announced so far on the global route include Portsmouth (UK), Punta del Este (Uruguay), Cape Town (South Africa), Qingdao (China), Tongyeong City (Korea), Seattle (USA) and Oban (Scotland). 

Want to be involved? There is still time for crew to sign up and complete the compulsory training required to participate in the Clipper 2025-26 Race. To find out more, and download info packs, head to the application page.