The 2025/26 Clipper Round the World Yacht Race has been decided after eleven months: according to the organisers, Team GOSH secured overall victory ahead of Team London Business School and Team Scotland. The 14th edition of the race took ten teams, all sailing identical Clipper 70 yachts, around the world in eight legs.
The age of the sporting leadership on board the winning team attracted particular attention. According to the organisers, Team GOSH won with the youngest winning duo in the race’s history to date. Skipper Oli Irvine is 26 years old, and First Mate Otto Kulow is 22.
Won seven out of 13 races in the Clipper Race
They won seven of the 13 individual races and had already secured overall victory with their win on the penultimate leg to Washington D.C. At the finish line, skipper Oli Irvine said:
“We’ve constantly pushed ourselves to our limits, set high standards, and the crew has met them every single day. It was a privilege to lead a group of people who were prepared to give their all.”
Team Scotland came third, behind Team GOSH and Team London Business School. From the organisers’ point of view, this is also remarkable because, for the first time, an all-female skipper and first mate duo – Heather Thomas and Millie Apperley – stood on the race podium.
Find out more about the Clipper Round the World Race and you can read about the teams here.
Amateur crews under professional guidance
The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is aimed at amateur sailors who compete in a round-the-world regatta under professional guidance. According to the organisers, around 40 per cent of the participants had no sailing experience prior to registering. The fleet is reported to have covered around 40,000 nautical miles.
The race was founded in 1996 by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston. The race is sailed on identical Clipper 70 yachts designed by Tony Castro. Some crew members complete the entire course, whilst others only take part in individual legs of the race.
Fabian Boerger
Editor News & Panorama
