Clipper Round the World Race 2024 Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam! take the victory in Portsmouth

On July 27, the Clipper 2023-24 Round the World Yacht Race drew to a close at the Grand Finale at Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth, where the Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam proudly sailed in as Clipper Race CHAMPIONS!

The Clipper Race 2023-24 champion was team Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam! as they edged out the competition to take home the overall win. The team had put in an exceptional performance over the course of the eleven month circumnavigation with numerous race wins and podiums.

Ha Long Bay took the overall win by one point with team Perseverance in second, and Zhuhai, led by a Southampton sailor James Finney, four points behind in third. Bob Beggs was the leader of the winners and he was delighted to claim the win in dramatic fashion.

Bob said: "It gives me great pleasure to join a highly motivated, organised team such as the crew on Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam. Ably assisted by my first mate Cameron McCracken. Emotions have been running high all day on the anticipation of receiving news of our podium position on arrival in Gunwharf Quays. I'm indebted to the whole team for welcoming me with open arms and allowing me to join the team."

The Ha Long Bay first mate, Cameron McCracken, added: "I can't quite believe what we've done today. To win this race with this unbelievable team is not something I thought would happen when I joined the boat in Airlie Beach.

After an emotional arrival on the dock where the team was greeted by past crew, friends and family, it was time to take to the stage to lift the Clipper Race trophy.

The final Clipper 2023-2024 race standings were:

First: Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam 138 points

Second: Perseverance 137 points

Third: Zhuhai 134 points

Fourth: UNICEF 116 points

Fifth: Dare To Lead 107 points

Sixth: Qingdao 102 points

Seventh: Our Isles and Oceans 98 points

Eighth: Yacht Club Punta del Este 90 points

Ninth: PSP Logistics 73 points

Tenth: Washington DC 53 points

Eleventh: Bekezela 41 points