Puerto Sherry Marina, thank you.

The first stop on our circumnavigation is always one of the most welcomed. With emotions running high after Race Start, and the tough conditions battled on Stage 1, you greeted our crew with warmth, loud cheers and of course a crisp glass of fino. See you again next time?

Valle De La Riva, president of Puerto Sherry Marina. 

“On behalf of Puerto Sherry Marina, it’s an honour to welcome you to this prizegiving ceremony. I would like to acknowledge and thank the authorities who have joined us today... Thanks for your support of this international event. 

“Welcome, the Clipper Race, to Puerto Sherry consolidating our position as the Host Port in Spain of the greatest sailing race in the world. We are truly proud to be part of this adventure that combines sport, courage and passion for sailing while showcasing El Puerto de Santa María and the bay of Cádiz to the world. Congratulations to all participants for your bravery and determination. Puerto Sherry, I hope, will be your home. Thank you very much and enjoy!” 

Finished in 8d 13h 17m 11s

Our fleet is fast approaching Puerto Sherry Marina, where it will be berthed while our Race Crew has some well deserved rest. Head down this week to greet the fleet and the crews, and perhaps leave inspired to take on your very own Race Of Your Life.

The first Ocean Sprint of the Clipper 2025-26 Race has been completed by all ten teams. This race feature is time trial between two pre-set lines of longitude or latitude. Three bonus points are available for the fastest team, two for second fastest and one bonus point for third fastest.    

As with all Ocean Sprints, the different arrival times across the fleet into the sprint area leads to teams often experiencing very different conditions. This sometimes gives the back markers in the fleet a great opportunity to score some additional bonus points, as Race Director, Dale Smyth explains: 

“This was very much the case this time, for the first sprint of the circumnavigation as the Ocean Sprint arrivals coincided with the passage of a low-pressure frontal system. This meant that the front runners were still being faced with hard upwind conditions when they crossed the sprint start line and those towards the back of the fleet arrived at the sprint start with the front having passed over and strong westerlies as the wind veered for a fast run straight to the south. 

“GOSH played a good tactical move pushing far to the west before starting the sprint and therefore reaching the westerlies first and setting them up for the fastest, most direct run south.” 

The results are in!  

1st | Team GOSH 

2nd | Team Tongyeong 

3rd | Team Washington, DC 

For full results and timings, please check out the Race Tracker. 

Congratulations to Team Gosh, Team Tongyeong and Team Washington, DC and well done to the fleet for making our first Ocean Sprint a great watch for Race Tracker addicts.  

Race Manager Hannah Brewis talks us through the first week of Stage 1: Battle over Biscay

On Stage 1, an orca exclusion zone was put in place on the race course to limit the risk of orca interactions whilst racing down the western coasts of Spain and Portugal. This ensures that yachts are always a minimum of 60nm offshore, reducing the risk of orca interactions.

At approximately 0730UTC on 6 September, Team UNICEF entered this exclusion zone. As stated in the Course Instructions, a minimum of a six hour penalty will apply for any infringements. Therefore, the Clipper Race Committee has given a time penalty of eight hours to UNICEF based on the extent of the intrusion and the time spent inside the zone. Eight hours will be added to Team UNICEF’s finish time after they cross the line in Puerto Sherry.

Race Crew are easing into boat life, as they emerge from the tough conditions of the Bay of Biscay and enjoy some sunshine on deck.

“The fleet has faced a tough start to this edition of the Clipper Race. The conditions seen in the English Channel will have been well above what any of them witnessed in their training. Following this, it has been relentless as they turn the corner into the Bay of Biscay. A really tough couple of days ahead as fronts pass across the fleet, causing some fantastic tactical racing for those already addicted to the Race Tracker.  

“Looking forward, there’s still a wide variety of opportunities for Skippers to engage different skills, tactics and sail plans. I’m intrigued to see how the fleet will cope with the final front coming through, with the wind easing behind them and some downwind sailing towards Spain hopefully reminding the crew this is what it’s all about. Upwind sailing is tough, but there is beauty to be had with the downwind conditions as well.”  

From flat calm to life at 45 degrees, this opening stage will really test the Race Crew on board. The latest from life at sea from Team Gosh.

The Scoring Gate results are in…

In reverse order, scooping up the first of the extra points up for grabs on this edition is...

3rd | UNICEF (one point)

2nd | GOSH (two points)

1st | Power of Seattle Sports (three points)

Congratulations to all teams after some tough days of sailing.

About to re-emerge onto the Race Tracker after a stint in Stealth Mode, Team Scotland Skipper, Heather Thomas, gives us the racing low down.

With the fleet now in the midst of the Bay of Biscay, Race Crew have been experiencing some pretty epic sea states

Here's the latest action from on board Team GOSH...

Skipper of Team GOSH, Oli Irvine updates us on what’s been going on on board over the past few days…

Skipper of team Washington, DC , Ella Hebron, reports on the racing so far.

For the next 24 hours, Scotland will be invisible on the Race Tracker.

All very relaxed on Team Yacht Club Punta del Este, Thank you Skipper David Sautret for the update!

First Race Report in from Skipper Gav Rees onboard London Business School. A bumpy start for our teams.

The Race Begins...

Spectators line Southsea seafront to watch the Parade of Sail pass through the Solent.

The Clipper 2025-26 Race Edition Fleet set sail for their first stage, Battle over Biscay heading for Puerto Sherry and wave goodbye to their supporters!

Welcome to the stage 1 live blog, expect to find your real time race updates here.