on 17 Mar 2020
2019-2020 race abruptly halts in Subic Bay due to global Covid-19 crisis
The Clipper 2019-2020 Race has been postponed with immediate effect, due to the ongoing Covid-19 crisis.
The Clipper Race fleet is currently berthed in Subic Bay, Philippines, where the crew has been under quarantine since arrival on March 15.
The next stage of the race, across the North Pacific to Seattle, was due to depart from March 21. News of the postponement comes amid increasing uncertainty around travel and medical restrictions in the United States, which is currently in a state of national emergency.
The crew will travel home once local quarantine is lifted.
The three remaining race stages in the Clipper 2019-2020 Race will be postponed for around 10 months, and the leg 6, 7 and 8 crew will be invited to rejoin the race when it resumes. The next full edition of the Clipper Race will now be held in 2022.
“We are extremely disappointed to postpone the remainder of the Clipper 2019-2020 Race,” said the Clipper Race Organising Committee in a statement posted online. “We are proud of all of our intrepid crew for having competed in this race edition since it departed London and look forward to welcoming all of our upcoming crew next year when the race continues. We are also grateful to all of our crew, supporters and Race Partners for their continued support.”
