11 months, 6 oceans, 1 victory: Derry sailor conquers Clipper Race

Derry native Aoife McSorley (30) has achieved a remarkable milestone in international sailing after winning the Clipper 2025–26 Round the World Yacht Race aboard Team GOSH.

Sailing alongside Belfast skipper Oli Irvine, who brought the crew together at the start of the journey and led them to victory, Aoife and her fellow crew members crossed the finish line in Portsmouth Harbour after completing an extraordinary 40,000-nautical-mile journey across six ocean crossings. Aoife was among the elite group of sailors on board who completed the full 11-month circumnavigation.

The achievement marks a proud moment for Northern Ireland sailing and has renewed interest in the possibility of welcoming the Clipper Race fleet back as a future host port.

Speaking on arrival in Portsmouth, Derry sailor Aoife McSorley said: "We just won the Clipper 2025–26 Race! Sailing into Gunwharf Quays with the crowds pumping and the team so excited - it's only just starting to feel real that we have actually won the circumnavigation.

"We left from this exact dock on 31st August last year, and since then we’ve been to incredible places and seen things at sea I never imagined. We pushed hard and held ourselves to high standards every single day. Having Oli lead the team from the very start set the tone, and it’s been an absolute privilege to complete this journey with such a passionate group."

Reflecting on the mental and physical demands of the 11-month voyage, Aoife highlighted how vital the team’s culture was to their ultimate success. Maintaining shared values allowed the mixed team of amateur and professional sailors to keep performance high, even when facing extreme fatigue, freezing conditions, and gale-force winds across the globe.

Founded by sailing legend Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the Clipper Race is unique in training everyday people - from doctors and teachers to engineers and retirees - to become ocean racers. Around 40% of participants enter with no prior sailing experience before completing four weeks of intensive mandatory training.

The success of local sailors like Aoife underscores the potential for Northern Ireland - with its rich maritime heritage - to welcome the Clipper Race fleet as an official host port in an upcoming edition. A local stopover would bring thousands of international visitors, global media coverage, and a major economic boost to the region.

Applications are now open for everyday adventurers hoping to take part in the 2027–28 edition of the race, which sets sail from the UK in summer 2027.