Solent-based Clipper Ventures, which created the iconic Clipper Round the World Yacht Race 30 years ago, has announced a major multi-million investment in a next-generation innovative-design fleet of 12x 72ft ocean racing yachts.
The Clipper Race trains people from all walks of life to become competent non-professional ocean-racing sailors. Over 7,000 crew have participated in 14 editions since the first biennial event was staged in 1996. It is now regarded as the world’s toughest ocean adventure.
The new yacht concept has been translated into the final design by the experienced team at Fish Marine Design | Composites (MDC) in Hampshire, with hull lines by world-famous British naval architect Nigel Irens, incorporating a new distinctive bow shape.
The result is the Clipper RX, which distils all this experience into a fast and seaworthy vessel with superior safety features integrated seamlessly into a high-performance 72ft ocean racing yacht designed for the extreme conditions faced by the novel Clipper Race ocean adventure.
Clipper Ventures employs over 50 people at its Gosport headquarters and has expanded in recent years to grow its adventure, expedition and sailing events portfolio, including acquisition of the Hamble School of Yachting.
Founder and record-breaking legendary yachtsman Sir Robin Knox-Johnston – the first person to sail solo, non-stop, around the world in 1968-69 – says:
“The new ‘Clipper RX’ fleet benefits from everything we’ve learned from thousands of crew in addition to our own operations team. The new design concept was created in-house and then developed with leading British naval architects.
Article continues below this advertisement “It is a major investment in our future and will provide a safe yet exhilarating experience for the crews who take on this unrivalled adventure. The new design is well equipped to cross the most challenging oceans on the planet, between six continents, on a journey that takes nearly 11 months to complete the full circumnavigation of around 40,000 nautical miles.”
Clipper Ventures co-founder and CEO William Ward OBE says:
“I am very proud to see what we’ve achieved over the last 30 years to take the company from strength to strength, despite some major challenges along the way, from economic downturns to a global pandemic. Today we have the world’s leading event of its type that attracts international participants who are seeking a life-changing adventure.
“The experience we’ve amassed is exceptional and has been applied to this major investment in a new fleet that will take us through our fourth decade. We have developed a strong partnership with Qingdao in China over the last 20 years where we are building our latest fleet to the highest quality standards at globally competitive rates.”
Clipper RX components have been sourced from leading UK and International manufacturers. The hulls of the 12-strong fleet are being built at a shipyard in Qingdao, China, and will start to be shipped to the UK later this year for final fitting out.
The new fleet is anticipated to enter service for the 15th edition of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race starting late summer 2027.
