Welcome Home Claire - meeting the Clipper Race

Nevil Adkins

My friend Claire had been most of the way round the world on the Clipper Race and today was the final homecoming. I had promised to sail out to meet her and this is what we did. There was no wind so the ‘sprint race’ had been cancelled in favour of a motor parade and the racing yachts were lined up in their finishing order. We pulled up alongside Zhuhai and waved at Claire on the foredeck. She gave a quick wave back and carried on her duties. Only on the third wave did she recognise us – and promptly burst out crying! The fleet was accompanied into Portsmouth by a swarm of spectator boats, a Britanny Ferries ferry and harbour tugs spraying arcs of water, not to mention thousands of spectators on the shore – spectacular! As we approached Portsmouth, we peeled of the parade and went to moor up in Gosport before hurrying over to join in the afternoon festivities, including a guided visit to yacht Zhuhai. What a party to celebrate the completion of an amazing journey – well done Claire!