Cape Town to Host Clipper Round the World Yacht Race

March 15, 2013

Cape Town will be the official South African host port for the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, with the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront being the fleet’s base.

The event is the biggest and longest of its kind and will arrive in Cape Town in October.

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Chairman and Founder of the Clipper Race said: “Cape Town is one of the most recognised ports in the world with a long tradition of hosting boats and their crews.

“We are very pleased to be returning, especially with our new fleet; I know that our crews will be delighted to savour all that the ‘Tavern of the Seas’ has to offer and sponsors are always keen to explore new trade and investment opportunities here.”

The third generation Clipper Race fleet will berth at the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town’s leading tourist destination, which sees a renewal of the long-term partnership between the Race and the city.

David Green, CEO of the V&A Waterfront said: “It is not only an honour, but also a pleasure, to welcome the world’s biggest matched fleet of large ocean racing yachts to the V&A Waterfront in the Clipper 13-14 Race.

“As the only round the world yacht race visiting Cape Town in 2013, it serves as a strong economic driver and it brings with it great international and local interest, putting the V&A Waterfront and the city of Cape Town on the international stage. 

“An event of this significance aligns to our strategy to be a host port for international ocean-racing events. This is a long term relationship that holds exciting prospects for the future.”

This year will be the seventh time the fleet has stopped in the city.

At 40,000 miles this is the world’s largest ocean race and takes almost a year to visit 15 ports on six continents.