Clipper Ventures has announced a new, modern design for its fleet of racing yachts, which will replace their existing fleet of Clipper 68’s.

Chairman Sir Robin Knox-Johnston says, “Racing around the world still remains one of life’s
great challenges and I’m extremely proud to have witnessed over the past
15 years how the Clipper Race has changed people’s lives and turned
almost 3,000 sailing novices into experienced ocean racers. With the eighth
edition of the race, Clipper 11-12, set to start in August 2011, we have
commissioned the highly respected naval architect, Tony Castro, to design us a
new fleet that will bring the Clipper Race to the next level for Clipper 13-14
and beyond.”

  

Tony Castro’s Clipper 70 will form the third generation of Clipper racing
yachts and his design is an exciting one, perfectly suited for this
particularly gruelling sailing event. The new yachts will be built in China and fitted out by UK and
international suppliers and the fleet will increase from ten to 12 yachts, with
an option for a further four. The crew capacity of each yacht has also
increased from 20 to 22.

The original Clipper 60 fleet completed four races between 1996 and 2003 before
being replaced by the longer, lighter and faster Clipper 68 for the next four
races. For the Clipper 13-14 Round the World Yacht Race the introduction of the
Clipper 70 steps things up a gear once more.

 

The inclusion of modern features in the new hull design will give
better performance and, when surfing on big following seas, the Clipper 70 is
likely to set new speed records compared to the previous fleets; crews can
expect to top 30 knots when conditions suit.

 

New features include twin helms, twin rudders and a six-foot bowsprit which
allows the inclusion of a huge Code Zero sail to complement a suite of Yankee
headsails, staysail and main. This new sail will increase performance in light
airs and deliver higher daily average speeds across the 40,000-mile race. The
mainsail will have three reefing points and will be set from 92-foot mast.