The most popular cruise ship port of call in the Caribbean, the island of Cozumel will be welcoming vessels of a different kind in 2014, yachts competing in the Clipper 13-14 Round the World Yacht Race, a grueling 40,000-mile voyage. Founded by British sailing legend Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first person to sail solo non-stop around the world in 1968-9, the Clipper Race is unique because it trains 12 teams of amateurs to take up the challenge of a lifetime, a global oceanic race under the orders of a professional sailing skipper.
The Clipper Race will be visiting Mexico for the first time and Cozumel is the only port of call on this occasion. The island will be greeting the sailors on Leg 7 of their incredible journey after they have passed through the Panama Canal and are en route to New York.
The goal of race organizers and the Quintana Roo government is to work with associations in the state and elsewhere in the country to try and secure a Mexican yacht entry in the race.
This event is also expected to boost tourism, trade and cultural ties between the state of Quintana Roo and the United Kingdom.
