Clipper 11-12: The route
‘De Lage Landen embraces the world’ is one of ten identical yachts spending nearly a year sailing round the world during Clipper 11-12. In total forty thousand nautical miles, over 74 thousand kilometers, visiting fourteen ports on six continents.
Leg 1 United Kingdom – Brazil
Baptism of fire. That’s the first leg of Clipper 11-12. Soon after leaving the port of Portsmouth, the participants are immediately thrown into the deep end on one of the busiest shipping routes in the world, the English Channel. This is followed by the first major crossing over the Atlantic Ocean to Rio de Janeiro.
Leg 2 Brazil – South Africa
Under the watchful eye of the statue of Christ the Redeemer, the fleet leaves Rio de Janeiro for the 3,390 mile (6,278 km) leg to South Africa. The favorable wind direction makes it tempting to use the spinnaker and reach speeds of over 20 knots (nearly forty kilometers an hour). However, Clipper 11-12 is a marathon, not a sprint. One wrong maneuver will result in torn sails!
Leg 3 South Africa – Western Australia
As the Cape of Good Hope slowly disappears from view, the fleet sails southwards towards the 40 degree latitude mark, known among sailors as the ‘Roaring Forties’. This part of the ocean is noted for its strong westerly winds and a reputation for its ‘extreme sailing’. All the more so when the wind sweeps in ice cold air from Antarctica!
Leg 4 Western Australia – New Zealand – Eastern Australia
The, temporary, departure from sail-mad Australia will undoubtedly be memorable. En route to New Zealand, the sea will be busier and the fleet will be confronted with the waves which make the west coast of Australia so popular among surfers. Around Australia and Tasmania, with an ‘excursion’ to New Zealand. A wonderful challenge and a fantastic new leg in Clipper Round the World.
Leg 5 Eastern Australia - Singapore - China
Another new leg. A marathon over two races from the eastern coast of Australia to Singapore and from Singapore to Qingdao in China. With both Singapore and Qingdao giving their names to a Clipper yacht, this will be a very special leg. And one of extremes. From tropical heat to perhaps even snow, from multicultural Singapore to the Olympic sailing city of Qingdao.
Leg 6: China – American west coast
Across the Pacific Ocean from China to the Californian coast, a race which must be included in the logbook of any sailor. Leg 6 is undoubtedly one of the most memorable legs in Clipper 11-12. Passing the southernmost tip of Japan, the impressive Laysan Albatrosses which follow the yacht for days on end … And then the sunny American west coast and the realization that you have just conquered the biggest ocean in the world.
Leg 7: American west coast - Panama - American east coast
While the fleet passes the coast of California and Mexico, the main subject on board is tactics. Using favorable currents along the coastline, or choosing the certainty of wind at sea? Ocean sailing is like a game of chess sometimes, and whoever plays the better game will reach the Panama Canal first. And then it’s time to set sail for New York where Miss Liberty awaits.
Leg 8: American east coast - Nova Scotia - Ireland - Netherlands – United Kingdom
The last leg of Clipper 11-12! During several previous editions of Clipper Round the World, the race was only decided in this phase. So every reason to get all hands on deck. The leg passes the fishing grounds off the coast of Newfoundland and then crosses the Atlantic Ocean to Ireland, the Netherlands and finally arriving at the winner’s podium in the British finishing port.
