Clipper 2005

New boat and interesting new course for the round the world race

At London Boat Show Clipper Ventures plc are showing more information about their new fleet of 68 footers, to replace their existing fleet.

The new boats are being constructed for Clipper 2005, an all-new experience, will break with the established format of the company’s four races run so far. Aside from the new, faster yachts, a new route has been planned and there will be a new boat sponsorship
formula, allowing a renewed competitive edge for the international event.

The new boats have been designed by Ed Dubois. At 68ft long, they are 8ft longer than the Clipper 60s used since 1996. Despite their larger size, thanks to their epoxy/foam sandwich construction, they weigh two tons less than the yachts they are replacing.

Technically masthead cutters, the new yachts have a taller rig and larger sail area. Longer hull, lighter construction and a greater sail area are all vital factors which individually will produce a faster boat - put them together and the effect is appreciable. While not trying to produce a Volvo or Open 60 class of boat, which is specifically for professionals, the new Clipper 68s will provide their amateur crews with the fastest round the world ocean racers in the non-professional field.

The Clipper 68s incorporate all the lessons and ideas learned in more than 1.2 million miles of racing during the four Clipper circumnavigations run to date. Fast and steady downwind, their taller masts and higher aspect ratio sail plan make them very effective upwind and give an enhanced light weather performance. To cope with the larger sails, aids such as coffee-grinder winches to be fitted.

The latest electronics and communication technology is included as standard, providing everything from instant links with home, to computerised navigation and tactical information from satellites.

Each of the new yachts has a capacity for 20 people but will race with 18 crew. The accommodation, as would be expected for a yacht that is designed for fast, competitive passages, is stripped out. But each crew member has their own bunk and personal storage space, while the communal spaces allow relaxation after a hard watch on deck. The galley is simple but effective, as this is where the crew ‘fuel up’ with mental and physical energy.

Built to the latest Maritime and Coastguard Agency construction and safety requirements, these exciting new yachts will start coming into service in 2004. They will provide the crews with an unprecedented challenge, which has up until now only been available to hardened professionals.

New course

The increased capabilities of the new boats have also allowed the introduction of a newly challenging and ambitious route for the 2005 race. The course starts start by following the traditional tea clipper route to Australia via Southern Africa, providing a sleigh ride through the Roaring Forties of the infamous Southern Ocean.

After a brief respite to catch their breath, the boats head for Singapore, Hong Kong, mainland China and Japan before taking the passage across the northern Pacific to the west coast of Canada and the United States. The Panama Canal follows, then the Caribbean and New York, before the final dash across the northern Atlantic to Europe and home.

This route is the longest of all the round the world races and crews that were novices at the start will have become seasoned veterans by the end of the challenge.

A new boat sponsorship format means that city will still compete against city, but now they will represent their country as well. This means that cities around the world will have the opportunity of promoting themselves at each of the stopover ports as the fleet forges its way around the world, making the race a truly international event. It's an unusual way of promoting a city and its industries, but its uniqueness is what provides its attraction.