Jamaica’s Port Antonio will host the world’s longest race this summer when the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race visits the Port Antonio Marina on June 18. The arrival of ten Dubois 68 yachts in ten days will make the town a hub of activity as crew members changeover, meet and entertain their families or stay for vacation.

“The Port Authority of Jamaica is delighted to welcome the Clipper Race to our Marina for the first time,” William Tatham, Vice President of Cruise and Marina Operations, Port Authority of Jamaica said. “The yachts stopover in Port Antonio will immediately follow the Panama leg of the race.” 

The leg from Panama to Jamaica will cover approximately 590 nautical miles while the total distance covered by the race will be more than 34,000 miles-the longest distance covered in any single race in the world.

“The Round the World race stops at the North Cove Marina in New York and the Keppel Bay Marina in Singapore,” Tatham said. “The Marina at Port Antonio is pleased to be included among this high calibre of marinas.”

Each of the ten yachts is named after a city or region and has a capacity for 20 people but will race with 17 crewmembers and one professional skipper.

“We are very excited at the prospects of the yachts’ visit,” David Shields, Deputy Director, Jamaica Tourist Board said. “The crews will be docked at the Marina for six days and will bring a great deal of attention to the Northeast Coast of the island.”

The Marina at Port Antonio opened in 2002, boasts a 32-slip mega yacht dock and is the only Marina in the Northern Caribbean with a 100 tonne marine travel lift. The Marina’s port of entry has 24-hour security and customs and immigration services.

The Clipper 05-06, is the fifth race conducted by Clipper Ventures. The ten month long race makes stops in New York, New Jersey, Durban, Liverpool, Cascias, Salvador, Freemantle, Singapore, Qingdao, Victoria, Panama and Port Antonio.
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