Level 4 Training: a look behind the scenes

Level 4 Training: a look behind the scenes  

With Clipper Race HQ beginning to buzz with energy and activity ahead of Race Start on 31 August, over the past few weeks an influx of Race Crew have arrived to complete the final stage of training - Level 4.  

Level 4 training is a big deal; all Race Crew, regardless of previous sailing experience, must successfully complete all four stages of Clipper Race training before they step on board to compete. It’s a step up for future Race Crew. Having already completed three stages, Level 4 training consolidates sailing, seamanship and racing skills offshore and enables Race Skippers to develop their teams and boats in a realistic setting. This is as close to the real deal as Race Crew will get before the Clipper Race gets underway; they live 24/7 on board their Clipper 70 racing yacht for the week, sailing and competing as a team.  

The checklist of skills, drills and exercises is extensive. Race Crew will cover everything; including safety equipment, emergency procedures, sail terminology, sailing theory, knots, VHF radio use, towing and sea transfers to medical scenarios.  

Speaking about the first round of Level 4 training, which saw some 150 Race Crew arrive in Gosport, Team UNICEF Skipper Guy Waites said: “There’s a big step change to Level 4 from Level 3 because it’s race training, so suddenly the pressure and intensity comes on!” 

The last piece of the training puzzle  

Level 4 training is a milestone event behind-the-scenes, too. For the Training Team, the Clipper Race department that has the most contact with Race Crew from the point of signing up to the race starting, it can be an emotional day.   

Kirsty Squires, Head of Training and Principal, says: “We see crew members evolve and become more confident as their training journey continues. We see them arrive for their Level 1 training, usually looking slightly worried or uncertain, and then it’s always a proud moment to see them flourish as they go through the training, and particularly as they set off on their Level 4 training. There’s always a real sense of achievement when we’ve supported crew who have doubted their ability on training, or suffered with sea sickness, to see them get through all levels of training before being race ready. 

“Seeing them slip lines on their Level 4 training always makes me feel like a parent, watching my child go off on their final day of school. Knowing that when they come back, that’s the end of their formal training, and off they go into ‘the real world’ of the Clipper Race.” 

On a practical level, organising the final stage of training is a big logistical challenge for the Training Team. Kirsty explains: “For Level 4, Race Crew go onto their allocated race boats, with their Race Skipper, First Mate and fellow crew. With approximately 500 initial Level 4 bookings, it’s like a big jigsaw, moving the crew into their correct teams, giving them their first choice of dates where possible. Logistically, this is a huge endeavour, especially with many of our overseas crew relying on back-to-back training options. We must then organise victualling budgets for each team, ensure our vessels are ready, and that all of our Race Skipper and First Mates are ready to lead their teams. 

“Finally, there’s lots of planning and organising to ensure a smooth sign in process on the first day of Level 4 training. With official headshots being taken and kit distribution on the first day, it’s a large operation!” 

A freshly refitted fleet 

Level 4 is also a milestone moment for the Clipper Race Maintenance Team, which, during the ‘off-year’ when the yachts are not racing around the world, oversees the refit of the entire Clipper 70 fleet.  

As Greg North, Head of Maintenance, explains, this work gets underway long before Race Crew head out for their Level 4 training week: “The work ahead of Level 4 essentially constitutes the winter refit, during which all on board systems are overhauled. This is a comprehensive process that involves unstepping the rigs [taking the masts off] and hauling the vessels ashore to be stripped down, rebuilt, and thoroughly inspected by marine surveyors. 

“Level 4 is a significant milestone for the Maintenance Team because it marks our first real opportunity to shake down the fleet after this winter refit. With new standing rigging undergoing its first test, mast tensions will need to be re-tuned across all vessels. We also treat Level 4 training as a simulation of actual race conditions. Skippers and mates begin using our official reporting channels and operate systems like water-makers and hydro-electric generators as they would during a race leg.” 

Aside from putting the refitted Clipper 70s to the test, Level 4 is also a good opportunity for the Maintenance Team to start getting to know the Race Crew who are keen on developing their maintenance skills. Greg adds: “There are always individuals on board with a strong interest in maintenance, and this phase gives us a chance to connect with them. These relationships often develop over the course of the race, but Level 4 provides that crucial first interaction.” 

Maintenance Team hard at work

A week on the water  

The week begins with a comprehensive checklist of skills, drills, manoeuvres, safety procedures and sailing theory. On Sunday, the teams then line up for the first time to rehearse a ‘Le Mans’ style start and complete a trial race. Named after the iconic car race, a Clipper Race Le Mans start involves all yachts lining up under engine, with mainsails raised and headsails ready, then simultaneously hoisting their headsails at the start signal. This type of start is used when the yachts are at sea and is self-managed by the skippers. 

For the first intake of Level 4 training, there was a mixed bag of weather to put Race Crew through their paces with heavy weather and a rolling sea state giving way to very light wind conditions later in the week.  

Speaking on her return, First Mate Lorraine O'Hanlon says: “It was a brilliant week. We got loads of conditions, upwind, heavy wind, light wind, spinnaker work. Towing. A really well rounded mixed bag. I have to say I’m very proud of the crew they got really stuck in, worked hard and pushed themselves.” 

“We’ve done all the safety drills we normally do but we’ve made it harder by doing them all at night - even a man overboard (MOB) drill at night with a spinnaker up. We’ve towed boats, we’ve been towed, we’ve passed equipment back and forth. It was a week of hard work and I’m really, really pleased.” - Team Qingdao Skipper Philip Quinn

After extensive skills and drills, it was time to get into the racing. The first practice test between the teams showed how competitive the action on the racetrack is, with winners Team UNICEF crossing the line just seven seconds ahead of CV27. UNICEF First Mate Diana Vega explains: “After really cutting down our timing on drills we moved onto the race. It went across the English Channel to just outside Cherbourg, and back. We had a great race, finishing in first position only seven seconds ahead of CV27 so it made for some very exciting racing especially toward the end right down to the Finish Line. We had CV27 right behind us and we ended up gybing in front of them, so we were on starboard gybe and crossed right in front of them on the Finish Line. It was fantastic!” 

Le Mans start on the 2023-24 edition

They’re ready to race  

Returning back to Clipper Race HQ in Portsmouth Harbour, only a training week debrief and a deep clean of the yachts stands between the Race Crew officially completing the Level 4 training week. By now, everyone who has successfully completed training has graduated to gold foulies (the Musto ocean-grade wet weather gear each crew member is issued) and is ready to race.  

Helen Hughes, 62, from The Wirral, is racing Leg 1 of the Clipper Race as part of Team Ella and Ben on CV26. Mid-deep clean, she reflected: “This level feels different in that we have done a huge amount of consolidation; we flew the spinnakers more, and we’ve been gybing with them well. The race felt like the real thing and our competitive spirit came out a bit more!  

Speaking about her Race Skipper Ella, and First Mate Ben, she adds: “The pair of them are calm yet competitive, the encouragement has been brilliant. They notice everything and the instruction they give is clear to each person. We’re in very safe hands.” 

For Patrick Pierson, a retired US Navy Officer who now lives in Kent, UK, the wait for his race will be a little longer than Helen, as he will join Team UNICEF for the final leg of the circumnavigation. Naturally, he’s spent much time at sea on board ships, including the North Atlantic, which is on the Leg 8 route, but it’ll be his first time crossing it under sail. Reflecting on Level 4, he said: “The easiest way to sum this week up is epic. Level 1 - Level 3 has been all about learning, learning, learning and then here you just have to do it. You’re actually racing and we won the race. I am with Skipper Guy and First Mate Diana - they’re amazing - and it was a great week.  

“We were doing practice headsail changes, and Le Mans starts. I was on the bow which I love. It’s a tonne of work - muscles I didn't know I had, ache!” 

Also taking part in this Level 4 training week was the Ambassador Race Crew who will be flying the flag for Qingdao as they race around the world. Team Qingdao First Mate Faith Nordbruch said: “It was great to have the Ambassador Race Crew on board. It was tough for them - this was their fourth week of training in a row, so they were working hard, and they all did really well. It was great to meet them for the first time.” 

2025-26 Qingdao Ambassadors

Next stop: the Clipper 2025-26 Race! 

Between now and the Clipper 2025-26 Race getting underway at the end of August, there is plenty going on both on and off the water behind the scenes.  

For the Maintenance Team, this last stretch before Race Start is the last opportunity to fine tune and receive any feedback from Skippers, First Mates and Race Crew. Greg adds: “We actively encourage feedback. We’ve refined our processes since the race’s inception and now have robust systems in place for maintaining the fleet. However, those systems exist only because of the valuable feedback we've received across multiple race editions. As the race continues to evolve, we can’t afford to stagnate. Ongoing feedback is essential, and we always welcome it.” 

For the Training Team, a total of five Level 4 training weeks will be completed, where they will see all Race Crew complete their training ready to start their adventures of a lifetime.  

Although it's a goodbye for the Training Team, they will be watching closely as the action unfolds around the world. Kirsty says: “We can’t wait for the Clipper Race to start, as we’ll certainly be glued to the Race Viewer! We love hearing all of their amazing experiences whilst out on the Clipper Race. We feel proud and lucky to have been a part of their epic adventure!” 

And finally, for Race Crew, the Team Building Weekend in July and Race Prep week, just before Race Start, are the next milestone moments in the lead up to the 2025-26 edition getting underway from Portsmouth on 31 August.  

Has this look behind-the-scenes inspired you to find out more? There’s still time to get involved with this year’s edition of the race, with limited spaces remaining. Head to the application page of the website for further inspiration, downloadable info packs and to apply.