Our 20th anniversary year has had a challenging start with lots of changes in both the refit program and our travel plans for the next two years. And on top of this, we all find ourselves in uncertain times as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. We want you to know that the safety of our crew and guests is of the highest priority and we will follow up closely on all of the developments and the measures taken by the Dutch government. On our news and blog page, we further explain which measures the Shipping Company Clipper Stad Amsterdam has taken so far with regards to the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Despite all that is happening in the world right now, We’d like to tell you something about our sailing plans for late 2020. Behind the scenes, our crew and people at the office have been working really hard to make this happen. The Clipper Stad Amsterdam is going to end her 20th anniversary year with a very special sailing trip. For the first time, a traditional Cape Horn rounding is on our winter schedule.
Sailing around Cape Horn is widely regarded as one of the major challenges in yachting. Even for some of the professional Ocean Race sailors, rounding Cape Horn is high on their bucket list. All over the world sailing enthusiasts & adventurers are dreaming about rounding the Horn. For some as part of a circumnavigation around the globe, for others, as a separate trip.
Before the Panama Canal was built, sailing ships had to sail around South America to go from the Atlantic to the Pacific, or the other way around. Although not the most southerly point of South America (those are the Diego Ramírez Islands), Cape Horn marks the northern boundary of the Drake Passage and marks where the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans meet. Cape Horn was discovered and first rounded in 1616 by the Dutchman Willem Schouten, who named ‘Kaap Hoorn’ after the city of Hoorn in the Netherlands.
The route of the Clipper around Cape Horn will go from East to West, also known as the ‘wrong way’. It’s going to be a very challenging trip with possibly quite extreme weather conditions, large waves, lots of wind, strong currents and cold circumstances.
We will start our rounding from Buenos Aires in Argentina and will be sailing non-stop to finish the trip in Valparaíso in Chile. When we do at least 3000 miles of uninterrupted sailing (not using the engine) from 50 degrees south on the Atlantic Ocean to 50 degrees south of the Pacific Ocean a traditional Cape Horn rounding is a fact. The trip is going to ask more from our crew and guests than on our regular adventurous sailing trips and when you actively participated in the watch system you are eligible to become an official Cape Horn Sailor. On our website you can find more details about this unique sailing trip.
Would you like to stay up to date about the refit activities in Den Helder, our 20-year jubilee and other upcoming trips? Please register for our newsletter via our website or stay tuned for my next blog. For now, stay safe, healthy and take care of each other!
Evert van Dishoeck
Director Clipper Stad Amsterdam