Clipper in Freo

Sailing into his home state and nation, as part of the winning team, GOSH, Craig said: “What an exciting race! I’m lost for words.

“Racing the Roaring Forties is something a lot of people haven’t experienced and to some people those conditions can be very daunting. There were a couple of times we experienced big winds that took us by surprise, but it was all part of the journey.

“It’s been really satisfying to cross that ocean – it’s been one I’ve wanted to cross for a long time. It’s really good to finally be here, and it’s good to be home and in familiar territory.”

Fellow Aussie, Tony Gill, a Public Servant, originally from WA but now living in the Northern Territory added: “If you really want challenge yourself and achieve something epic in your life, go and have a look at the Clipper Race. It is so much fun!”

Race Crew living in Australia who have taken on this challenge and arrived in to Perth, WA this week are:

Brian De Swardt | Quinns Rocks, Perth | Engineer | Circumnavigator

Craig Head | South Bunbury, Western Australia | Project Manager | Leg 2 and 3

Anna Kirk | Perth, Western Australia | St Johns Ambulance | Leg 3

Caryl Smith | Busselton, Western Australia | Paramedic | Leg 3, 7 and 8

Aoife Mcsorley | Perth, Western Australia | Doctor | Circumnavigator

Colin Thomson | Perth, Western Australia | Engineer | Leg 1, 2, 3 and 4

Tony Archibald | South Yarra, Victoria | Business Analyst | Circumnavigator

Anthony Gill | Bakewell, Northern Territory | Public Servant | Leg 3

Chris Heath | Agnes Water, Queensland | Director | Circumnavigator

Matthew Kennedy | Invermay, Victoria | Sales | Leg 3

Peter Simon Lustig | Horden Vale, Victoria | Law | Circumnavigator

Brooke Mackenzie | London Lakes, Tasmania | Paramedic | Leg 1 and 4

Astley John Hunter Milne | Jan Juc, Victoria | CEO | Leg 3

Voula Skinner | Sandy Bay, Tasmania | Executive Support Officer | Leg 3 and 4

Stuart Walker | Mccrae, Victoria | Firefighter | Leg 3

Australian Race Crew living overseas:

Joss Pettitt | Hessen, Germany | Construction manager | Leg 3

Nathaporn Eiamvittayakorn | London, UK | Senior Manager | Leg 3 and 4

Patricia Caswell | Umm Al Quwaim, UAE | Yacht Captain | Leg 2, 3 and 4

Naomi Mitchell | Arizona, USA | Workplace Threat Manager | Leg 3

VISIT THE CLIPPER RACE FLEET

The Clipper Race is open to anyone, even those with no sailing experience as full training is provided. To give Western Australians an insight into what it takes to participate in this event, the Clipper Race is opening its hatches for free public tours of the yachts Race Crew call home as they sail around the world.

ON THE BOATS // 16-17 December // 1000 – 1800

One of the ten stripped-down yachts that is currently on its eleven-month voyage around the world will be open to the public.

Visit below deck and imagine yourself at a 40-degree angle, mid-ocean and thousands of miles from land, check out the Nav Station, galley, bunks and stowage, and see where each of the 20 Race Crew live when not on deck. Above deck, take the helm or try your hand on one of the eleven winches capable of lifting the sails up the 29-metre [95 foot] mast. The tours are family friendly and a great option to entertain children in the summer break.

Those who attend could soon be telling their own ocean-going tales, just like Anna Kirk, a Paramedic from Perth who took on the most recent leg (Leg 3) of the Clipper 2025-26 Race.

Kirk said “We’ve seen whales, we’ve seen dolphins, it’s been simply spectacular. And the people that you are sailing with are just incredible.”

DISCOVERY TALK // 18 December // 1930 – 2030

Are you ready to face the ultimate ocean challenge? Head to Fremantle Sailing Club to discover what it’s really like to race around the globe as Race Crew in the Clipper Race.

RACE START // 21 December // 1200 ONWARDS

From 1200 on 21 December, watch the fleet depart Fremantle Sailing Club as it departs for its next destination: Airlie Beach, Whitsundays.

Keep up with the Clipper fleet via Race Tracker here.

clipperroundtheworld.com