Host to Contender: Introducing Team Tongyeong

Building on its partnership as a Host Port, the latest Team Partner to the Clipper 2025-26 Race, and flying the flag for Korea, is Team Tongyeong which will be led by Clipper Race professional duo Skipper Lou Boorman and First Mate Brian Uniacke.

This landmark partnership is set to be a history-making one; when the Clipper Race fleet arrives in Tongyeong in spring 2026, it will be the first time a round the world sailing event has made a stop in Korea.   

Speaking about the debut Team Partner and Host Port, Clipper Race Director Dale Smyth said:

“The Tongyeong partnership is going to be an exciting one. It will be a real honour to become the first round the world yacht race to stop in Korea. A leading Asian maritime hub, Tongyeong is certainly a port of call that Race Crew and Officials alike are looking forward to experiencing. Under the brilliant leadership of Lou and Brian, it’ll be fantastic to also watch Team Tongyeong representing the region on the global circuit and to create a meaningful, impactful sailing legacy.” 

As it races around the world, the team entry will showcase one of the most popular tourist destinations in Gyeongnam Province, Tongyeong, which is famed for its lush archipelago. The partnership is also supported by the Gyeongnam Sailing Federation which will be using this collaboration to raise the profile of sailing in Korea and boost uptake of the sport, and the accessibility of the marine leisure sector. 

Addressing their Clipper Race team directly, Tongyeong Mayor, Chun Young-gee said: “Tongyeong, known as the ‘Naples of the East’, boasts a mild climate year-round, over 500 beautiful islands, and a clear blue sea, making it a hub for marine tourism in Korea.” 

And speaking directly to the crew who will visit the city in spring 2026, he continued:

“Every moment you experience here in Tongyeong will be a magical and precious memory that will remain with you for a lifetime, and I am confident that the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race will become the cornerstone for our city's goal of becoming a global marine tourism city."

"As the famous saying goes, "Success has never been achieved where no one tried," and we will support your passion and challenge as you take on the world's longest yacht race.” 

Led by Clipper Race Skipper Lou Boorman and First Mate Brian Uniacke, the Tongyeong team will be in great hands. Lou, from Wales, a dinghy British champion by 16, went on to become the youngest Skipper of the Round Britian and Ireland Race. Since then, Lou’s career has taken her worldwide and she is looking forward to empowering her crew in her role as a Clipper Race Skipper.

Lou is supported by Brian, from Ireland, who is no stranger to ocean sailing. His sailing journey began with a transatlantic crossing with his father and has since completed the ARC, Fastnet, Round Ireland, and Cape2Rio races. Qualified to RYA Yachtmaster Ocean and a full-time sailing instructor, the former tech engineer, Brian brings passion and experience to the role. 

Speaking when it was revealed she would be the skipper of the Tongyeong, Gyeongnam team, says Lou:

I’m very excited for my team to partner with Tongyeong, Gyeongnam, and proud to represent the city for the first time in Clipper Race history. Sailing into our home port is going to be an incredible experience for me as a Skipper and for my team to bring a round-the-world yacht race to such an interesting destination.

"My sailing started at small local sailing clubs on a Wednesday night after school, and it’s taken my career further than I could have ever imagined. Throughout my career, enabling people to gain confidence through time spent on the water, no matter their background or previous experience, is what makes it worthwhile to me."

During the previous 2023-24 edition of the Clipper Race, Na Kyung Lee, known as Regina, became the first woman, and youngest person, from Korea to sail around the world when she completed the full circumnavigation. Speaking at the time, Regina, who is originally from Seoul, said: “To become the first Korean woman to do this was such a huge challenge. I like to expose myself to new skills, those that at first appear bigger than myself. I wish to inspire others to pursue their dreams and realise that anything is possible with hard work and perseverance.” 

The final countdown is now on to the Clipper 2025-26 Race which gets underway at the end of the month from Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth, UK. Festivities begin in Gunwharf on 29 August, with the fleet departure and Clipper 2025-26 Race Start happening and visible from the shore on Sunday 31 August. Find out more here. 

Want to join us? There’s still time! We are offering fast-track applications for later legs of the circumnavigation. No previous sailing experience required, full training provided. If you want to join Tongyeong – or one of the nine other teams racing – then head to the Clipper Race website for more info on the Fast Track programme.