ABOUT US
CONNECTING PEOPLE WITH ADVENTURE
At its core, Clipper Ventures is about people powered by their own determination and courage, its global network of stakeholders that share these values.
Clipper Ventures’ brands centre around adventure and breaking out of comfort zones to embrace the unknown. To do this successfully, safety is core to what the adventure company undertakes everyday, for everyone.
Clipper Ventures explores the remote, the pristine and the unusual. It has a profound relationship with the natural environment and the impact on weather systems, however nuanced, across the globe.
ABOUT US
SIR ROBIN
KNOX-JOHNSTON
Sailing legend and pioneer Sir Robin Knox-Johnston made history in 1969 by becoming the first person to complete a solo nonstop circumnavigation of the globe. His relentless determination, calm demeanour, resilience and deep love of the sea have inspired countless thousands of sailors around the world to challenge themselves and action their dreams.
OUR HISTORY
SUNDAY TIMES GOLDEN GLOBE RACE
Sir Robin becomes the first person to sail solo, non-stop around the world, winning the Sunday Times Golden Globe Race.
CLIPPER VENTURES IS BORN
Sir Robin and William Ward OBE create Clipper Ventures
Inaugural Clipper Race
Inaugural Clipper Race. A matched fleet of eight bespoke designed Clipper 60s left Plymouth taking a westward route around the world. 186 people participated from all walks of life and almost a third were female.
Alex Thomson Wins Clipper Race
Famously won by the youngest Skipper to date, Alex Thomson (25). More than 230 Race Crew participated in the second edition of the Clipper Race, stopping at 16 ports in the 40,000nm circumnavigation. The Clipper Race continues biennially, to date.
Start of Clipper Events
Design and build of fleet of 10 Clipper Reflex 38s and start of Clipper Events.
Management of Around Alone Race
Obtained the management rights to Around Alone race, which became the Velux 5 Oceans
Zapcats
Clipper Ventures expands into high adrenaline ZapCat racing and providing in shore entertainment at events around the world.
Clipper 68s Launch
Clipper Ventures launches the second design for Clipper Race – a fleet of ten Clipper 68s which establishes the Clipper Race fleet as the largest matched fleet in the world.
2,500 Crew Mark Reached
Clipper Race crew numbers top 2,500 across eight race editions. Recognised as a a leading sailing event globally, the start of the race attracts thousands of spectators.
Clipper 70s Launch
The launch of the third design of ocean racing yachts- the iconic Clipper 70s. Built in China the yachts are designed to be capable of more than a quarter of a million nautical miles each.
20th anniversary
Clipper Ventures celebrates its 20th anniversary with more than 1,000 alumni Race Crew and corporate Partners to mark the occasion.
the first female skipper to win a round the world yacht race
Milestone in sailing history when Wendy Tuck, from Australia, became the first female skipper to win a round the world yacht race in the Clipper 2017-18 Race.
Hamble School of Yachting
Hamble School of Yachting became part of Clipper Ventures.
Clipper China formed
Clipper China was formed to meet the country’s growing participation in sailing. The Clipper 7 and Clipper 12 yacht designs go on to become an essential part of the training pathway for developing professional Chinese sailing teams.
£1 million raised for Unicef
As part of an ongoing legacy and commitment to supporting communities around the world.
SKIRR Adventures
SKIRR Adventures inaugural expedition sailed to the high latitudes of the Arctic using adapted Clipper 68s to explore the pristine environment and navigate the sea ice.
Chris Rushton and Laura Ayres become joint Managing Directors
Chris Rushton and Laura Ayres become joint Managing Directors of Clipper Ventures as Sir Robin and William Ward step back from day to day running of the business.
Reached 6,000 participants
Milestone in sailing as more than 6,000 participants have been trained and raced in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.
JOIN OUR TEAM
Adventure is in our DNA. If it’s in yours we may have the perfect role for you, either on or off the water, full or part time.