Southsea seafront was awash with spectators on Saturday as the city hosted two high-profile sailing spectacles: the SailGP circuit and the arrival of the Clipper Round The World Race. Hundreds if not thousands of residents and visitors gathered to watch the boats, enjoy the sunshine and soak up the pre-race atmosphere.
City packed for a weekend of sailing
The Clipper Race fleet, a challenge founded by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston — the first person to sail solo non-stop around the world — was seen making its way towards Gunwharf Quays in the afternoon. The event brought a mix of seasoned sailing enthusiasts and families to the seafront.
Alongside the Clipper fleet, SailGP's Portsmouth leg drew intense interest. Team GBR are among the favourites as they bid for honours on home waters, and the presence of prominent sailors helped to raise the profile of the weekend.
Notable personnel on show
Members associated with the Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team advertised as present in Portsmouth include:
- Sir Ben Ainslie — owner and CEO
- Hannah Mills OBE
- Dylan Fletcher MBE
- Stuart Bithell MBE
- Kai Hockley — Youth Sailor
| Event | Highlight |
|---|---|
| Clipper Round The World Race | Fleet arrival at Gunwharf Quays; founded by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston |
| SailGP (Portsmouth leg) | Team GBR competing; high public turnout |
Atmosphere and logistics
Long queues formed as spectators waited to find vantage points along the prom. The weekend's weather — described by many as glorious — helped draw large families and groups to the seafront, with local bands and performers adding to the atmosphere.
Photographs from the crowd and the action were taken throughout the day. Members of the public who wish to purchase images can contact the paper's photosales team by calling 0330 403 0033 or emailing [email protected].
The twin presence of a global race series and the well-established Clipper fleet underlined Portsmouth's continued appeal as a centre for high-profile maritime sport and public events, attracting both serious sailing followers and casual visitors.
