Gosport is home to Boatshed.com Head Quarters, plus it is also home of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.
Today Monday 31 August 2009 the fleet departed Portsmouth Harbour and won’t return for almost a year.
Royal Clarence Marina is set within the grade 2 listed ex victualling yard of Nelsons Navy in Gosport, just inside Portsmouth harbour entrance to the west.
The Clipper crews (2000) and yachts (12) are prepared to set sail for the Humber and the official start of the Clipper 09-10 Race on 13 September.
The street market on the promenade in Royal Clarence Marina had stalls selling food and other goodies while local bands play to create a party atmosphere.
At 12.45pm the Mayor of Gosport, Councillor Mrs Diane Searle, will address the assembled crews and wish them fair winds for their adventure on behalf of the people of the Borough. Clipper’s chairman and founder, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston will also be in attendance. Once the skippers and crews have joined their yachts the Clipper 09-10 Race fleet will slip their lines and head out into Portsmouth Harbour, where they will be joined in a flotilla by local sailors prior to setting sail for the Humber.

To follow the crews and the race click here

Fascinating facts about the Clipper race
41 different nationalisties are taking part
225 different professions are competing, taxi drivers to lawyers
More than 2000 men and women
If every warp, line, sheet and halyard were put together they'd stretch a massive 13 kilometres
152,000 tea bags will be consumed
108,000 high energy snacks will be eaten
These crews have already completed 420,000 training sea miles.