We are so lucky (& blessed) to experience the events in London since we have been here. The latest event was seeing the Clipper Round the World Race 13/14 leaving from London. The boats came in a week ago and were docked at St. Katherine's Docks - just down the river from us. The boats left September 1 for their 40,000 mile, 11 month race and they passed right by our balcony.
We invited some of our friends over to watch and it was very exciting!!
Here is Team GB (Great Britain). There are 12 teams, 8 legs of the race, and 23 crew members.
Here is Team Qingdao. Qingdao is a major city in the province of Shandong, China. The 5th leg of the race travels from Eastern Australia to Eastern China.
Here is Team Jamaica.
Team Switzerland...
Team Invest Africa. The boats are currently on their way to South America. The second leg with be to South Africa and then to Western Australia.
Companies also sponsor boats. The crew is not required to have any sailing experience when they sign on. The Skipper is the only experienced / professional sailor on board. It was very interesting talking to volunteers at St. Katherine's Dock who have done this before. An experience of a lifetime.
Team Old Putney.... Crew members can choose to race the whole 40,000 miles or they can choose to do particular legs of the race.
Team Garmin & Team Mission Performance.... The 23 crew members work in shifts. I'm not sure I would want the night shift in the middle of the ocean some where!
Team Logistics.... The boats are 70 feet and the new design is all about speed.
Team Derry-Londonderry-Daire...
Team Henri Lloyd...
Getting ready....
And, they're off!! See y'all back in July!
Spectators were out in full force cheering the teams as they left for their adventure of a lifetime.
While the clippers were getting ready for the race earlier in the week, these boats were also in town for a visit. They were in Greenwich which is southeast of us. Greenwich is where the Old Royal Naval College is. The boats did come by our apartment and we got to enjoy their splendor from our balcony.
Hope you have enjoyed!!
