Clipper Race Veteran Returns for Another Atlantic Adventure

Clipper Race Leg 1: Maria Treadway Returns to the Atlantic

Some people complete a Clipper Race leg and tick it off the bucket list. For others, they find the ocean calling them back.

For Maria Treadway, an applied linguistics teacher at Auckland University, it's certainly the latter. Having already completed Legs 5, 6 and 7 across two previous editions, Maria has now signed up for Leg 1 of the Clipper 2027-28 Race, to race the entire Atlantic Ocean, in what she says could be her third and final time taking on the challenge.

There’s something especially magical about Leg 1. She said: “Everyone arrives excited. The skipper and mate have this huge energy to build the team. Everyone starts equal and there are so many opportunities to learn.”

And once you’ve experienced offshore racing, it can be difficult to stay away. Speaking about why she keeps returning, Maria said: “Offshore sailing gets into your skin. After my first race, I got back and followed the Race Tracker and read the blogs, remembering those sunrises, sunsets and moments of absolute beauty out there.”

“People don’t really understand it until they’ve experienced it. I can describe the phosphorescence and dolphins and vapour trails and the reflection of the moon on the sea. People can get a sense of it, but I think that’s part of the magic of offshore sailing; experiencing those things and being in the moment, it’s totally indescribable.”

Balancing Work and Offshore Sailing

Balancing her career with ocean racing ambitions, Maria has carefully selected her Clipper Race legs to fit in, allowing her to spend consolidated time with her team before the race sets off from the UK in summer 2027. She said: “The academic year runs March to November, so I can take semester two off in the middle and then return.”

Whilst the ocean calls her, the friendships formed during the race remains a compelling reason for her repeat return. She says: “One of the amazing things about the Clipper Race is the friendships. You’re all going through this completely unique experience together getting up at 2:30am to pull on cold wet-weather gear and head onto a freezing deck.”

Returning for a second race also transformed her confidence offshore. She explained: “By the time I crossed the North Pacific, I realised how much experience you can gain in a short amount of time. After Leg 5, I went back to New Zealand and did lots of coastal sailing and racing so when I returned, I felt I could make more meaningful contributions to the team and with decision making.”

Of course, she’s also realistic about life at sea, adding: “The North Pacific was also the leg I learnt I was a hot weather legger!” Noting the downside: “As the temperatures get hotter, things definitely get smellier!”.

The Impact of the Clipper Race Back Home

Back home, Maria says her wife has been hugely supportive of another return to ocean racing, saying: “She’s seen how much the Clipper Race has affected me, my resilience, my attitude to life, the way I approach challenges.

“We probably could have had a really good holiday together instead, but she knows how important this is to me.”

And although Leg 1 is confirmed, Maria may not be finished just yet.

“I would absolutely love to do Leg 3 as well - the South Indian Ocean. I love going fast, I love downwind sailing, helming and feeling the stern lift as the yacht surfs. That’s incredibly exciting.” she said.

Her current top speed at sea?

“22.6 knots… so far.”

Applications are open for the Clipper 2027-28 Race. Apply now.