Thousands pack Portsmouth for sailing spectacular as SailGP and Clipper racing wow crowds

Passionate sailing fans descended on Portsmouth for a weekend of spectacular sailing.

SailGP and the Clipper Round The World Race put the city on the map for nautical sport. Thousands of people descended on Southsea seafront and Gunwharf Quays to see the action in the glorious sunshine.

Excitement built as the fans queued up for the first day of SailGP, serenaded by She’s Got Brass band as they took their seats. Music superstars Jess Glynne and Craig David performed brilliant sets for the audiences as they kept their eyes on the water.

Team GBR, sponsored by Emirates, was loaded with Olympic talent including Hannah Mills OBE and Dylan Fletcher MBE. Union jacks were raised high and waved frantically throughout both days of racing. Loud cheers rang round the stands as Britain won the last race of day one.

It was heartbreak the following day though as they failed to make it out of the group stage. Spain’s Los Gallos team would go on to claim the crown beating North Star Canada, Artemis Sweden Artemis, and Explora Journeys Switzerland. Portsmouth hosted the first leg of the European racing season. More than 20,000 fans attended both days.

Fans from across the globe gathered to support their respective teams. Racing identical 50ft foiling catamarans that reached high speeds due to strong winds and choppy conditions, the tight course in the vicinity of Southsea Castle produced hotly-contested racing.

Elsewhere in Portsmouth, spectators had gathered at Gunwharf Quays to celebrate the end of an endurance challenge which started nearly a year ago. Saturday (July 25) saw the last leg of the Clipper Round The World Yacht Race completed.

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Teams are comprised of everyday people from around the world, many with no experience of sailing at all. After an intense series of training sessions, they’re tasked with taking on the global challenge of up to 40,000 nautical miles should they choose to compete in all eight legs.

Team GOSH, sponsored by Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity, won the race with the youngest crew ever to do so. Skipper Oli Irvine, 26, and First Mate Otto Kurlow, 22, triumphed after winning seven out of the 13 stages. After a gripping final part of the race, Team London Business School took second and Team Scotland took third place.

The challenge was created by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first person to sail solo nonstop around the world. Families and loved ones of the crew, alongside fans, celebrated as the teams walked to the podiums and the medals were handed out. Portsmouth became a hotbed for amazing sailing, something which you can only see growing in the future.