Three outstanding sailing teams have clinched the victory in the 7th leg of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. The team representing Quang Ninh province under the name “Ha Long Bay, Vietnam” emerged as the fastest ocean crossing team.
On the evening of February 28, Quang Ninh province, in collaboration with the Clipper Race Organizing Committee, held an award ceremony for the 7th leg of the race titled “Endless Exploration of Halong Bay.” This leg marks the 5th stage out of a total of 8 legs in the Clipper Race.
Quang Ninh province is honored to be one of the ports of call in the route of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race for the 2023-2024 season.
The Clipper Race began in October 1996 in the city of Plymouth, United Kingdom. To date, more than 50 cities around the world have served as stopover points for the race.
In the 2023-2024 season, the race is divided into 8 legs with 16 individual races and 6 ocean crossings. Eleven racing yachts arrived in Halong Bay, among them the Quang Ninh team named “Ha Long Bay, Vietnam.”
Leg 7, part of the 5th stage titled “Asian-Pacific Challenge,” started from Coral Sea Port in Queensland, Australia, and concluded at Halong Bay in Quang Ninh province, Vietnam.
The 11 participating teams completed a 25-day journey covering a distance of 4,515 nautical miles.
By February 19, all 11 participating teams had completed leg 7, finishing 2 days ahead of the scheduled time.
During the award ceremony, the Clipper Race Organizing Committee honored the top 3 outstanding teams of leg 7 in the 2023-2024 Clipper Race season. The first-place team was Team QINGDAO; the second-place team was Team ZHUHAI; and the third-place team was Team UNICEF.
The Organizing Committee also awarded the Ocean Sprint prize (for the team with the fastest ocean crossing speed) to the Quang Ninh team named “Ha Long Bay, Vietnam,” led by British captain Josh Stickland.
The “Ha Long Bay, Vietnam” team crossed the finish line in 5th place at 10:30 a.m. on February 19 and is currently ranked 6th overall in the race standings.
On this occasion, Quang Ninh province also hosted a reception and presented commemorative gifts to representatives of the Clipper Race Organizing Committee and representatives of the racing teams.