Hyde Sails returns as an Official Supplier for the Clipper 2025-26 Race
by Clipper Round the World Race 20 Nov 08:37 NZDT
Race 9 - Zhuhai to Qingdao on Clipper 2023-24 Race © Clipper Ventures
Hyde Sails is set to supply the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race fleet for an eighth edition, with this partnership adding another chapter to this longstanding collaboration.
The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, founded by legendary sailor Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, is a unique global sailing event that trains everyday people to race around the world. This one-of-a-kind challenge empowers people from all walks of everyday life to experience the thrill and endurance of ocean racing.
Since 2009, Hyde has been the trusted sail supplier for the Clipper Race, drawing on 60 years of expertise and a global reputation for crafting high-quality, performance-driven sails for everything from one-design dinghies to custom racing yachts.
For the upcoming Clipper 2025-26 Race, Hyde Sails has further enhanced its precision engineering standards, redesigning its bespoke ocean-engineered sails for the global event using state-of-the-art software. This design now incorporates precise plotting of all fixtures and fittings, with each element marked on the cloth for laser cutting.
Its laser cutter operates with an impressive accuracy of 25 microns (+/- 0.0005 inches) and marks points for essential appendages such as reefing points and hank or slide positions. Previously, these measurements would have been done by hand in post-production. The use of production-ready design files has increased the accuracy and standardisation of the sails.
In addition to supplying a wardrobe of eleven sails for each Clipper 70 yacht, Hyde Sails will also provide expert training in sail care and repair for Clipper Race crew and skippers. Its expert team will also support during the event's global stopovers to ensure each yacht's sail inventory remains in optimal condition.
Charlie Bird, CEO of Hyde Sails, expressed pride in the ongoing relationship with the Clipper Race. He says: "I am delighted to be at the helm of Hyde Sails as we announce our eighth collaboration with the Clipper Race for its 2025-26 edition. This is a true testament to the confidence put into our ocean-engineered sails to allow eleven teams to race around the world in matched yachts."
Greg North, Head of Fleet Maintenance at Clipper Ventures, also highlighted the trust placed in Hyde Sails' expertise and innovation. Greg says: "The bespoke sail suites crafted by Hyde Sails have demonstrated remarkable durability, performance, and reliability, helping our Clipper Race yachts navigate the world's most challenging oceans which face everything from hurricanes to calm seas."
As preparations ramp up for the next edition, the collaboration between Clipper Race and Hyde Sails promises to continue pushing the boundaries of sail technology and performance.
About the race
The Clipper Race is unique in that it trains everyday people to sail around the world. Founded by Sir Robin-Knox Johnston, the first person to sail solo, non-stop, round the world, the Clipper Race is a global event open to anyone over 18 regardless of sailing experience, with many Race Crew having no previous sailing experience before the four stages of mandatory training.
Throughout the eleven-month adventure, Race Crew make six ocean crossings, face storm force winds, tackle waves higher than two-story houses, work through searing hot and freezing cold temperatures, and witness electrical storms, waterspouts and squalls all whilst racing alongside 20 teammates, 24 hours a day, for sometimes up to 30 days at a time.
To learn more about the Clipper Race, visit www.clipperroundtheworld.com