25 Jun Puerto Sherry to Host the Start of the Clipper 2025-26 Round the World Yacht Race Once Again
The renowned international sailing competition Clipper Round the World Yacht Race will return to El Puerto de Santa María, with Puerto Sherry once again serving as the host port for the first leg of its 2025-26 edition. The fleet is expected to arrive in Cádiz this September after completing the initial 1,200-nautical-mile journey from Portsmouth, UK, where the race will officially begin on August 31.
The Clipper Race is a unique global event that opens the world of ocean sailing to people with no prior experience. After an intensive training program, participants can choose to sail one or several legs—or take on the full 40,000-nautical-mile circumnavigation.
A Short Yet Challenging Start
Though this first leg is one of the shortest in the route, it poses considerable challenges. Crews must navigate the English Channel and the Bay of Biscay—areas known for heavy commercial traffic and unpredictable weather. It’s a demanding test, particularly for sailors still adjusting to life at sea.
One of the participants in this leg is Luis Martínez-Curt, a 51-year-old economist from Valencia, who joined after visiting Puerto Sherry during the 2023 stopover:
“Being there helped me really understand how the race works. You could feel the family spirit and the diversity of the crews. I even had the chance to sail on one of the boats and witness the excitement during the departure. I was looking for a reason not to sign up—but I didn’t find one.”
A Global Strategy from Puerto Sherry
This partnership reinforces Puerto Sherry’s role as a strategic hub for international sailing. Hosting the Clipper Race forms part of a long-term vision to position the marina on the global stage, attract high-level nautical events, and foster sustainable tourism and business growth.
Since the last stopover in 2023, the marina has upgraded its infrastructure and developed new opportunities around nautical tourism, thanks to the impact of the event.
This September, over 200 international crew members will arrive at Puerto Sherry, and large crowds are expected to attend both the arrival celebrations and the official send-off.
Puerto Sherry’s General Manager, Nicolás Figueras, shared his excitement:
“This race represents values we deeply believe in—perseverance, teamwork, sustainability, and love for the sea. We’re proud to welcome back the fleet and the global community behind it.”
Kate Ashley, Head of Partnerships at the Clipper Race, also expressed her enthusiasm:
“We are delighted to return to Puerto Sherry for a second consecutive edition. Known for its excellent facilities and strong maritime heritage, it’s an ideal host port for our crews and our mission.”
A Stopover with Andalusian Flavor
During their time in the Bay of Cádiz, crews will enjoy a cultural and culinary program organized by Puerto Sherry, including food tours, exhibitions, and marine-themed educational workshops. The public will also have the chance to step aboard the racing yachts and get a firsthand look at life at sea.
On Friday, September 12, Puerto Sherry will hold a farewell celebration, featuring live music, a sail parade, and the spectacular race restart toward Punta del Este, Uruguay, which will be visible from the marina’s breakwater and promenade.
Spanish Sailors on Board
In addition to Luis Martínez-Curt, three more residents of Spain will take part: Francesc Batlle Perales (Girona), Jorge García Rodríguez (Madrid), and Jessica Hoelscher (a German national living in Palma de Mallorca). They’ll be joined by three Spaniards living abroad: Lucas Radev Roig (UK), Ricardo Sánchez-Moreno (France), and Augusto Barcia (Dubai).
About the Clipper Race:
Founded by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston in 1995, the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is the only event of its kind that allows amateur sailors to race around the globe. The fleet consists of ten Clipper 70 yachts, custom-built for ocean racing. The 2025-26 edition will visit 14 ports worldwide, including Portsmouth (UK), Puerto Sherry (Spain), Punta del Este (Uruguay), Cape Town (South Africa), Fremantle (Australia), Qingdao (China), Tongyeong (South Korea), Seattle (USA), and Oban (Scotland).
