Race Receives Royal Stamp of Approval at London Boat Show

11 January 2017

It’s a day to remember for our adventurous crew as the Princess Royal joined visitors and exhibitors alike at the London Boat Show, ExCeL today.

Her Royal Highness met with Clipper Race Chairman, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, and alumni crew members to learn more about their achievements of sailing the world’s oceans and recruitment for the upcoming Clipper 2017-18 Race this summer.

Princess Anne asked the crew about their experience and how many crew members had signed up for the eleventh edition of the race. Speaking to the Princess Royal and sharing her race experience, 2009-10 edition race alumni crew member Sarah Stratton, a PA from Hastings, said:

“It was wonderful to meet Princess Anne, she asked if I was a sailor and I explained that I had never sailed prior to the Clipper Race but now I do following my experience. She asked how many crew we had for the race and if anyone had signed up at the show, we explained that the show has been going really well and once people have spoken to us they want to sign up straight away. I thought she seemed very interested in what we are doing and that we take complete amateurs and turn them into sailors.”

Welcomed to the big red dome, stand G083, Princess Anne was also shown the Marlow Rope tying stall and VR360 experience.

Immersing race fans and crew hopefuls into the heart of the race experience, the virtual reality headset finds viewers on board a Clipper Race yacht during an ocean crossing. At every turn different views are encountered as you stand near the helm, in the cockpit, and even right out on the bowsprit where you can spot dolphins dive in and out of the water right in front of you.

Previous sailing experience is not necessary to take part in the race as full training is provided, but you do have to be aged 18 or above by the time the race starts, and have a thirst for adventure. You can sign up for one or more legs or the full round the world race which takes eleven months to complete.

More than 570 crew members spanning 39 different nationalities have already signed up for 2017-18 edition of the race. The race is now more than 85 per cent full, but there are limited places left on the full circumnavigation, and most legs.

Want to join them? Visit us at stand G083 at the London Boat Show today until Sunday 15 January and discover how you could step on board the race of your life.

Our partners joining us at the London Boat Show are:

Henri Lloyd: Visit Official Technical Clothing Partner Henri Lloyd at the You Boat stand A048
Hyde: Find Hyde, the Official Sail Supplier at stand D051
Coppercoat: Visit the fleets Official Antifoul Supplier at stand EO38
Bookharbour: Want to own the Race of Their Lives 2 DVD? Purchase it at Kelvin Hughes stand A055

If you would like to achieve something remarkable this 2017-18, apply here.

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