Clipper Race 2002 FAQs

1. Do I need any sailing experience?
No previous sailing experience is required as we offer as part of each crew berth comprehensive training on the actual race yachts both in the UK and in Portugal.

2. Is there an age limit?
Crew must be 18 years of age or over prior to starting the race. We do not have an upper age limit, all we require is a doctors consent that you are fit to take part in an around the world yacht race. Our oldest crewmember to date was 68.

3. Can anyone get involved?
The Clipper 2002 race is open to anyone who meets the above criteria and really wants to have an adventure of their life. We are looking for adventurous people from all walks of life that want to try something extra-ordinary. Our previous crewmembers have included - nurse, student, house-wife, managing director, traffic warden, office cleaner, taxi driver, dentist, farmer, motor mechanic, funeral director, auctioneer, fireman, policeman, engineer, artist, army officer, gardener - the list is endless.

4. How much does it cost?
The race is split into 6 sections or legs of 6-8 week duration and each leg costs approx. £7,000. The whole race costs £26,500. You can choose to sail on any number of legs or race the whole way around the world. The choice is up to you!

5. Are the majority of the crew male or female?
Different to most of the other round the world races, the Clipper races have a good proportion of male to female crew. At the moment, the split is approx. 60/40.

6. How do most people raise the necessary funds?
Everyone is different and there are no hard and fast rules on obtaining the money to take part. Clipper Ventures offers as much support as they can to help crew members in their quest of raising money, but if you really want to do the race, you will find a way….It is a misconception that most crew are able to just write a cheque and sail.

7. Is it really a race?
Without a doubt, Clipper 2002 is a very competitive sailing event. This is not a cruise around the world, but a race between some of the world's most exotic locations. Each yacht is identical. Each yacht is skippered by a professional yachtsman or woman, whose main aim is to get the yacht and the crew around the world the quickest but also the safest. The racing during all 3 of our previous events has been extremely close and very competitive. Ask any crew of the Times Clipper 2000 if they didn't race around the world!

More information about the Clipper Race