​Clipper Race heads to boot Düsseldorf

13 January 2020

Clipper Ventures is set to return to boot Düsseldorf, the worlds biggest boat show, this weekend. Running between 18-26 January 2020, boot attendees will have the opportunity to get up close to the race, meet some of the remarkable people who have completed the epic endurance challenge and enjoy a host of talks, panel discussions and exclusive film previews.

Alongside showcasing the best of the action and stories from the Clipper 2019-20 Race and sister company Hamble School of Yachting, the Clipper Race will be highlighting its important and innovative collaborations with UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) ocean data research.

This citizen-science driven project, which empowers Clipper Race Crew from all walks of life to contribute to important global scientific research, has seen four Clipper Race teams deploy data-transmitting buoys along some of the most remote latitudes of the global race route during the third, fourth and upcoming fifth leg of the competition. Gathered data will be used in two ways; to instantly generate significantly improved accuracy in weather modelling at Earth’s most remote latitudes and to generate data for long-term climate studies.

Clipper Race Commercial Director Alex Smith and Toste Tanhua, Chief Scientist and Chair of UNESCO-IOC/WMO will be discussing the project in detail on Monday 20 January -11:30- 11:45 on the Sailing Stage in Hall 15 in a talk called Citizen Science: The Clipper Race and ocean health.

Clipper Race Recruitment Director and twice-circumnavigator Della Parsons and a team of former Clipper Race Crew will be sharing their stories and experiences on the Clipper Ventures stand (Hall 15/B24) and will be joined by Chris Rushton and Luke Aspden, from Hamble School of Yachting - a leading UK sailing school which has over 35 years of experience in delivering the highest quality RYA tuition.

Heading to boot? Here’s our Clipper Race highlights taking place on the Sailing Stage and the Clipper Race stand:


SAILING STAGE – Hall 15

Saturday, 18. January 11.00 – 11.15 - CALLING ALL ADVENTURERS!

The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is among the world's greatest ocean adventures, and crewed by people from all walks of life. Circumnavigator Della Parsons addresses the burning questions about training, the racing fleet, the exhilarating 40,000nm route and most importantly people like you who take part. You'll either walk away inspired - or scared. One thing you won't be is bored.

Sunday 19 Jan - 15.00 – 15.30 THE UNSTOPPABLE JOURNEY – Film (German, English subtitles)

Exactly a year ago, Ina Baum, a business consultant from Köln, came to boot and signed up to become an ocean racer in the Clipper Round the World Yacht race. She is currently more than half way to becoming one of a handful of women to circumnavigate the world. Having only sailed recreationally Ina soon realized the challenge would be a complete contrast to her previous trips. In this short film, we find Ina crossing the South Atlantic and the Southern Ocean facing unimaginable conditions including 80km winds, 20m waves and freezing temperatures.

Monday 20 January - 11:30 - Citizen Science: The Clipper Race and ocean health

Find out more about the important and innovative Clipper Race collaborations with UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) ocean data research. Clipper Race Commercial Director Alex Smith and Toste Tanhua, Chief Scientist and Chair of UNESCO-IOC/WMO will be discussing the project in detail - and the enormous impact it will have in monitoring the health of our oceans.

Wednesday 22 Jan - 11:45-12:15 – Clipper 70: The world’s largest matched fleet of ocean racing yachts.

Renowned naval architect Tony Castro talks about the challenges of designing a fleet for the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race; a design that provides both an exhilarating race experience and capable of taking trained but Corinthian crew to battle Mother Nature’s extremes on a 40,000 nm circumnavigation. Built for a minimum of five circumnavigations [200,000nm] the panel talk about the design, the race experience and what could come next for the Clipper Race fleet.

Thursday 23. January - 12.15 – 12.30 – Race to greatness, race to win - What does it take to be a professional skipper with a corinthian crew embarking on the race of their lives?

In the last edition of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race Race, Chris Kobush became the German skipper to achieve a Podium, with his team onboard Qingdao.In a Q&A, the panel will talk about the extremes of off-shore racing, the training needed and becoming a leader capable of taking crew from all walks of life and from more than 40 nations – many with no previous sailing experience - to victory, and what comes with one of the most rewarding jobs in sailing. Luke Aspden (Hamble School of Yachting) and Clipper Race Crew Director Della Parsons.

Friday 24 Jan - 16:30 - 17:30 - Sir Robin Knox-Johnston The Legend Documentary

22 April, 2019, marked an astounding 50 years since Clipper Ventures founder and chairman Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, and his yacht, Suhaili, returned to Falmouth after an epic 312 days at sea in the Sunday Times Golden Globe Race, securing him in global history as the first person to sail solo, non-stop around the world.

This documentary explores Sir Robin’s remarkable feat some 50 years on, with fascinating insights into the man behind the helm from those that know him best.

Sunday 26 Jan - 11.00 – 11.30 THE UNSTOPPABLE JOURNEY – Film (German, English subtitles)


Clipper Race Stand – Hall 15/B24

In addition to a host of Clipper Race adventurers sharing their stories, interactive stand content and further information, make sure you don't miss the below events on the Clipper Race stand.


Saturday 18 Jan

12:00-12:30: Film - Wave from The Sailing Frenchman [REPEATED DAILY AT 12:00]

Popular YouTuber, Hugo Picard aka The Sailing Frenchman, is spending a year racing as the First Mate and helping to lead a team of 60 non-professionals 40,000 miles around the globe on board Clipper Race team Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam. Head to the Clipper Ventures stand Hall 15/B24 to catch a special one-off episode made exclusively for boot Dusseldorf. Aired every day at midday on the Clipper Race stand.

14:00 - 14:30: Film- The Unstoppable Journey – Film (German and Subtitles)

Sunday 19 January and Monday 20 Jan

12:00-12:30: Film - Wave from The Sailing Frenchman [REPEATED DAILY AT 12:00]

16:30 - 17:30 - Sir Robin Knox-Johnston The Legend Documentary

.Tuesday 21 January

12:00-12:30: Film - Wave from The Sailing Frenchman [REPEATED DAILY AT 12:00]

14:00 - 14:30: LA COURSE DE LEUR VIE [French with English subtitles]

Ever wondered who captures the footage of our Clipper Race crews as they race across the oceans of the world? A short film called La Course de Leur Vie has been created to tell the story of Maéva Bardy, one of our on board video-journalists on the 2017-18 edition of the epic global challenge. Premiering at the Waterproof Festival in Geneva, Switzerland, the film, the title of which translates to Race of Your Life, was awarded the Prix du Public at the festival.

Wednesday 22 January

12:00-12:30: Film - Wave from The Sailing Frenchman [REPEATED DAILY AT 12:00]

12:30 -12:45 - Q&A with renowned yacht designer Tony Castro.

Your opportunity to ask Tony Castro about the challenges of designing a fleet for the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race; a design that provides both an exhilarating race experience and capable of taking trained but corinthian crew to battle Mother Nature’s extremes on a 40,000 nm circumnavigation. Built for a minimum of five circumnavigations [200,000nm] the panel talk about the design, the race experience and what could come next for the Clipper Race fleet.

14:00 - 14:30: Film- The Unstoppable Journey – Film (German and Subtitles)

Thursday 23 Jan

12:00-12:30: Film - Wave from The Sailing Frenchman [REPEATED DAILY AT 12:00]

Friday 24 Jan

12:00-12:30: Film - Wave from The Sailing Frenchman [REPEATED DAILY AT 12:00]

16:30 - 17:30 - Sir Robin Knox-Johnston The Legend Documentary

Saturday 25 January

12:00-12:30: Film - Wave from The Sailing Frenchman [REPEATED DAILY AT 12:00]

14:00 - 14:30: LA COURSE DE LEUR VIE [French with English subtitles]

Sunday 26 January

12:00-12:30: Film - Wave from The Sailing Frenchman [REPEATED DAILY AT 12:00]

16:30 - 17:30 - Sir Robin Knox-Johnston The Legend Documentary

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