What a year 2024 has been! From offshore races to corporate sailing and team building days, to the incredible end-of-season event that was the second-ever Knox-Johnston Cup, this year Clipper Events has welcomed hundreds of guests on board. From total beginners to seasoned sailors, it’s been a pleasure to welcome so many new faces into the Clipper Ventures community. Here’s to an awesome year, and we can’t wait to do it all again in 2025!
Knox-Johnston Cup
We hosted our second ever edition of the Knox-Johnston Cup, and it was nothing short of an incredible weekend which saw over 100 guests take to the water in some (very) breezy conditions. After a day of training in the Solent, 13 teams lined up on the Royal Yacht Squadron line just off Cowes and tackled the challenging racecourse around the Isle of Wight. It was a battle of Force 6 breezes, steep waves and some adrenaline-filled sailing. Teams were made up of a mix of future and previous Clipper Race crew, their friends and family, corporate team entries and individuals just looking to experience a thrilling race, make new friends. It even saw some participants taking their first ever step on board a racing yacht. A fantastic weekend both on and off the water, with a cracking social function in Cowes and Prizegiving back in Gosport HQ to wrap up the event.
Image: Fleet of Clipper 68s and 70s on the water for the Knox-Johnston Cup 2024
A record-breaking Round the Island Race
With some strong winds, challenging conditions and fast boat speeds, this year’s Round the Island Race was one to remember. Five teams entered into the event, all of which were crewed by JP Morgan employees who had been nominated by their peers in recognition of their hard work and going above and beyond. Despite the tough conditions, the crew had a fantastic race with SKIRR 2 (CV11) skippered by Jake Carter winning the Clipper Class and broke the record for the fastest ever race by a Clipper Events yacht in the event.
Image: Winning Clipper Class team ‘SKIRR 2’
Clipper Events entered three teams into the Cowes-Dinard-St Malo Race, a renowned offshore event involving a Channel crossing, arranged by the Royal Offshore Racing Club. Plus, a team also entered into the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) Salcombe Gin Morgan Cup and RORC Cervantes Trophy Race, living up to its offshore challenge with tough weather conditions.
Sarah Puntan-Galea, who was new to sailing but is signed up as a future Clipper Race crew member, took part in the Cowes-Dinard-St Malo Race. She said: “Being a beginner, I was quite apprehensive, but the Skipper was amazing and so calm, and our First Mate was really good at instructing too. There was always someone watching what I was doing, so I felt I could have a go. If I was too slow or I wasn’t quite getting it, someone would come over and help me. Nobody ever said, ‘you got it wrong’ or ‘don’t do it that way’, I was constantly guided to learn by doing, which I think is the best way.”
Helping businesses to enhance their teams: corporate sail days
We hosted 27 sail days this year, from corporate team building days to businesses rewarding their staff with a unique day out of the office. We welcomed Clipper Race Partners, Marlow Ropes and ATPI travel, on board for sailing days on the Solent as a way to reward their teams, alongside a touch of networking. We also hosted a number of other events such as an IT regatta hosted by Salesforce, and sail days with Hurst Point Group and our long-standing friends Mission Performance who attended three corporate team-building sail days with their clients, using sailing as a unique and action-packed way to build team dynamics and help achieve business objectives.
Image: Mission Performance sail day
In addition to this, 60 guests had the best seats in the house to welcome the Clipper Race fleet back home to Portsmouth after an epic eleven-month circumnavigation. Five Clipper 68s headed out to the Solent to greet the intrepid teams on the water, follow the fleet in the Parade of Sail, and get to experience a taster of what it’s like to crew on the Clipper Race yachts themselves.
2025- what’s coming up. Why not make signing up for a sailing race your New Year’s Resolution?
Rolex Fastnet Campaign
We are entering teams into one of sailing’s most talked-about races: the Rolex Fastnet Race. However, this isn’t just a race. This is a full campaign, where you will join the team for two Royal Ocean Racing Club qualifying races, shore-based courses and the main event itself. Places are selling fast, so if you’re interested, book now.
Round the Island Race- 7 June 2025
We will be entering up to five Clipper 68s into this globally renowned race which sees over 1,000 boats take on the world-famous lap of the Isle of Wight. Expect to line up alongside legends as well as sailors from a range of backgrounds. No prior experience is needed for this one, as all training and instruction is provided. More information here.
Front-row seats to the world’s biggest sailing events
With some high-profile sailing events coming to Portsmouth in 2025, we are planning to provide front-row, on the water seats for guests. Packages include on board catering, professional instruction from our Skippers and Mates, and the chance to experience sailing a Clipper Race yacht whilst watching some of the world’s best sailing action. More details coming soon!
Our 2025 corporate calendar is filling up
If you’re a business, charity or organization looking for a totally unique way to build on teamwork, leadership and confidence, swap the office for an outing on the water in 2025 with a sail day with Clipper Events. Email us to find out more.
