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Southampton International Boat Show 2026
Step Aboard. Meet the Crew. Hear from the Legend. 18 – 27 September 2026
Find out moreThose who achieve extraordinary things, do not behave in ordinary ways
Join the ultimate adventure and cross an ocean, build your race or become one of the few to complete a circumnavigation of the globe under sail.
Raced by people like you, this global ocean race is an endurance challenge like no other. Race Crew come from all walks of life and nations around the world. No previous sailing experience is required.
Train from a complete novice to become an ocean racer as part of a team. Together you’ll face the world’s most extreme ocean conditions and mental challenges before returning victorious.
DEFY YOUR ORDINARY
BECOME AN OCEAN RACER
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 adventure of crossing an ocean, facing weather conditions from ocean storms to the fickle winds of the Doldrums, or the tactical challenge of racing in a matched fleet of 70-foot yachts, now you can prove to yourself what you are truly capable of.
No Experience? No problem.
World-Class Training Provided
You don’t need a sailing background - just the drive to push yourself further than ever before.
Before the race, you’ll undergo intensive, world-class training that prepares you physically, mentally, and technically for life at sea. From zero to ocean racer through four levels of world-class training. Safety, navigation, racing, survival - built on 30 years and five million miles of experience.
Bring the mindset and we'll build the sailor.
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World-Class Training
Novice to Ocean Racer
Even if you’ve never set foot on a boat, our intensive four-level training programme will transform you into a confident, capable ocean racer. You’ll learn everything from safety and navigation to advanced racing tactics and survival at sea. Designed over nearly 30 years and five million miles, this world-class training gives you the skills and the mindset to take on the world’s toughest oceans. No shortcuts. No compromises.
You can
DEFY YOUR ORDINARY
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 fickle winds of the doldrums, now you can prove to yourself what you are truly capable of.
THIS WILL BE
THE RACE OF YOUR LIFE
It's hard to put into words the incredible moments that you will experience as Race Crew at sea. Skies painted with brightly lit stars, the sheer power of towering waves, drifting alongside dolphins in the doldrums. Ocean racing will enable you to encounter a true ocean wilderness, and all of the wonders that come with it.
Sail the new
CLIPPER RX
The new Clipper RX ocean racing yacht represents the cumulation of 30 years’ experience circumnavigating the planet and feedback from over 7000 crew who have participated in the Clipper Race since its first edition. Making it's debut for the 2027-28 edition, the Clipper RX delivers the ultimate ocean racing experience. Designed for adventure, this fast and seaworthy yacht requires hands-on navigation and sail handling from crew.
NO GOING BACK: WATCH THE DOCUSERIES
Watch NowNo Going Back captures the raw reality of the Clipper Race. People just like you, turned ocean racers, tested by storms, fear, and triumph on the world’s toughest sailing adventure.
Crew Stories
From Project Manager to Ocean Racer
Christin, Project Manager, 38
Legs 2 & 3 on board Tongyeong
Christin had enjoyed sailing on Leipzig’s lakes, Legs 2 and 3 of the Clipper Race would prove to be a much bigger challenge. She signed up to race from Uruguay to Western Australia via Cape Town, South Africa. In total, Christin raced around 10,500 nautical miles over three continents.
"I thought when I applied it might change my life. And it did"
Crew Stories
Escaping the corporate rat race
Olaf, Engineer, 58
Circumnavigator on board Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam
A chance encounter with the Clipper Race team at Boot Düsseldorf set Olaf on a life-changing course; signing up for the full circumnavigation, packing his life up and heading to sea - a decision he never regretted.
Clipper RX: The Next Gen Ocean Racer
The Clipper RXNew for the 2027-28 edition the Clipper RX ocean racing yacht represents the cumulation of 30 years’ experience from 15 circumnavigations since 1996.
FAQs
Yes – potentially! Our Race Crew come from all walks of life: You must be aged 18 or over when you take part in the race, however you can apply at 16 and train at 17. We have even had crew in their early 70s take part. The most important thing is that you are both mentally and physically strong enough to take part as this is a big physical and mental challenge!
Around 30% of crew members on each team will have done little or no sailing before they train with us. Others will have a range of sailing experience which might be dinghy sailing, flotilla holidays or crew with further advanced RYA qualifications and possibly experience of looking after their own boat. The one thing you will all have in common is that you’re looking to take part in a unique challenge, test your limits and find out if you have what it takes to traverse the oceans of the world.
The time you will need varies from leg to leg. The durations quoted on our “Build Your Race” section of the website and in the information pack, are for the approximate number of sailing days, so you will need to factor in additional time at each end of your leg and also any Host Port stopovers within the leg itself. Legs 2, 3 and 4 were the shortest in the 2023-24 edition at approximately four to five weeks and most of the other legs are between six to eight weeks.
Yes, you'll have the opportunity to explore one of our 70-foot Clipper Race yachts at many of our key events including Race Start and Finish and stopovers around the world. We also host regular 'open boats' at our Training HQ in Gosport. Check out our events page or email oceanracer@clipper-ventures.com for details of tours coming up.