The only race in the world to offer the opportunity for non-professional sailors to compete in a round the world yacht race Clipper Ventures is the brainchild of legendary sailor, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston. One of nine sailors to compete in the Times Golden Globe Race, Sir Robin set off from Falmouth on 14 June 1968. He had no sponsorship for his attempt to conquer the Everest of the sailing world. With his yacht Suhaili packed to the gunwales with supplies – including bottles of whisky and fruitcake baked by his aunt – for a voyage that was to last just over ten months. He arrived back in Falmouth after 312 days at sea, on 22 April 1969 as winner of the race and secured his place in the history books as the first man ever to sail solo and non-stop around the world.

Sir Robin wanted everyone to have the opportunity to experience the challenge and sheer exhilaration of ocean racing. As he says, "Fewer people have raced a yacht around the globe than have climbed Mount Everest."

In 1995 he set up Clipper Ventures. Providing ocean racing yachts and equipment, qualified skippers and intensive training through our teaching division, Clipper Training, we have transformed more than 1,750 novices into racing yachtsmen and women, able to reach the pinnacle of ocean sailing – a full circumnavigation.

Clipper Ventures has successfully organised six round the world yacht races for non-professional sailors.