Clipper Race - The Route

LEG 1
Route Liverpool - Western European Port - Brazil
Approximate mileage 4,600 nautical miles
Approximate dates Mid September - Late October 2005

Towards the end of September 2005 the fleet of ten Dubois 68's will cross the start line on the first race of their journey round the world. As they head out down the Irish sea and across the Bay of Biscay the crew's will face their first real test with the possibility of an autumnal gale before the temperatures begin to rise on their journey south. After a short stop on the Atlantic coast they will be ready for the first big ocean crossing which will see them race down towards the tropics and across the equator to finish in Brazil.

LEG 2
Route Brazil - South Africa
Approximate mileage 4,650 nautical miles
Approximate dates End of October to Late November 2005

This is a highly tactical race, and the exact route the boats take will be determined by the South Atlantic High Pressure System. Leaving Brazil, the boats will head south across the line of the trade winds until the time comes to head east to round the bottom of South Africa. The wind will follow them round and their speed will increase as they pick up the stronger westerly's of the South Atlantic . Rounding the Cape of Good Hope sees another tick in the box of milestones achieved, and a South African summer will beckon.

LEG 3
Route South Africa - Western Australia
Approximate mileage 4,350 nautical miles
Approximate dates Late November 05 to January 2006

The race from South Africa to Western Australia and the port of Freemantle promises a Southern Ocean sleigh ride into "the roaring forties” as the fleet follows in the footsteps of the classic RTW races, the Whitbread and Volvo Ocean Race. Big winds and big waves will push both crew and boat, and the reward should be some of the most exhilarating sailing around.

LEG 4
Route Western Australia - China
Approximate mileage 4,400 nautical miles
Approximate dates January to early March 2006

After spending Christmas or the New Year down under, the teams will set off for some very different sailing. Heading north towards Bali , the yachts will race in open ocean trade winds for 1400 miles before entering the islands of Indonesia for the fascinating route north across the equator and on towards China . One or two stops will be planned on route providing an exciting mixture of ocean racing and tactically challenging coastal racing in the South China Sea.

LEG 5
Route China - Japan - NW Pacific Coast of North America
Approximate mileage 5,240 nautical miles
Approximate dates Early March to mid April 2006

Two races, three totally different cultures. After leaving China the boats race across the East China Sea and up the coast of Japan where they have the benefit of a strong favourable current known locally as the Black Snake. It is early spring, so there will still be a chill in the air, but the chance to see the famed Japanese cherry blossom should more than make up for that. The fleet then sets off for a fast and furious race across the top of the Pacific to the North West coast of America , which could rival the Southern Ocean for record boat speeds.

LEG 6
Route Pacific Coast of North America - Panama - Caribbean Island
Approximate mileage 5,240 nautical miles
Approximate dates Mid April to late May 2006

The race down the west coast of the US promises to provide a down wind drag race where boat speed and crew work are everything. The weather will get warmer as the fleet heads back down into the tropics to stop in Balboa prior to the passage through the Panama Canal . Once in the Caribbean the yachts will race north east to finish on one of the Caribbean Islands for the final crew change.

LEG 7
Route Caribbean - Eastern Seaboard - Liverpool
Approximate mileage 4,120 nautical miles
Approximate dates End of May to mid July 2006

The final leg will see the crews follow the seasonal migration of boats from the Caribbean up the east coast of the states. After a short stopover they will then race back across the North Atlantic to a final European stop before the grand homecoming in Liverpool decides the overall winner of the Clipper 05/06 Race.

Click here for information on the route costs