This bank holiday weekend saw the 10 yachts competing in this year’s Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race received a big send off from their base in Gosport as they head to the Humber for the race start on 13 September.

The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is the only race in which people from all walks of life can take on the challenges of ocean racing around the globe. The race was founded by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first man to sail single-handed and non-stop around the world. Addressing the crews and supporters at Royal Clarence Marina in Gosport, Sir Robin said, “It is great to see Gosport show itself off today and be part of our race. We’ve been based here for the last four years and we love being here. This is where all our crew train from and we’re the only round the world yacht race open to everyone – where ordinary people can get on board and do something truly extraordinary with their lives.”

Speaking from the pontoon before his departure, round the world crew member Alan Moss, a 38-year-old Air Traffic Controller from Fareham, said, “As we’ve been based in Gosport for all our training it is quite emotional leaving here now, it makes the start next week seem very close indeed. When we slip our lines and wave goodbye to Royal Clarence Marina it will be a strange feeling to know that we will not be back here until July next year.”

The fleet now head north, on their way to the Humber for the start of Clipper 09-10 on 13 September. Events in Grimsby and Hull have been organised to create opportunities for the public to view the ocean racing yachts undergoing final preparations before their departure.

To read more, visit www.clipperroundtheworld.com .