Right now, there's twelve yachts embarking on a 'round the world journey of a lifetime. The crews, have no prior sailing experience, and the yachts, are 70 foot racing thoroughbreds designed exclusively for the race. It's the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, and it's one of sailings most unique events on the calendar due to the 'no experience required' tagline. Some say, getting a spot in the race is harder than the race itself, with registrations opening two years in advance and only a handful of the thousands that apply getting a spot. It's not free either, teams pay to join the race, with the entire fleet of yachts being owned by the company formed by William Ward and Robin Knox-Johnston. Teams from around the world are racing in the 2015/2016 race, which will include a leg from Sydney to Hobart during the iconic Aussie race. In fact the Aussie contingent are the largest in the fleet, with 50 of the 347 entrants calling Australia home. Not for the next 11 months though, they'll be sleeping in a rocking, rolling, 70ft long piece of carbon! Back in 1996, the very first Clipper race began in Plymouth, England with stops in the US, Panama, Galapogos, Hawaii, Japan, China, Singapore, Seychelles, South Africa, Brazil and the Azores. Eight yachts completed the 15 leg race, and thus began the Clipper series which has run every 2 years since. Entries are now open for the 2017/2018 race series, so if you've never sailed before, but feel the urge to sail around the world - check out the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race website right here.

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