ROYAL Navy aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious gave a “spectacular send off” to 10 yachts yesterday as they set off on the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.
More than 500 amateur sailors from 40 countries will take turns to sail the yachts in the 40,000-mile race which set off from Southampton under blue skies and a gentle breeze.
More than 40% of them had no sailing experience before beginning their rigorous training for the world’s longest yacht race.
The 10 ocean-racing yachts sailed in formation ahead of HMS Illustrious before the race began from the historic Royal Yacht Squadron line in Southampton Water.
A flotilla of small boats, and thousands of well-wishers, turned out to see off the teams as they set off on their global challenge.
The 12-month journey will take the 68ft yachts to 15 ports on six continents and across the largest and most ferocious expanses of water on the planet.
