Team Yacht Club Punta del Este sailed into its home port to a hero’s welcome after completing the first ocean crossing of the Clipper 2025-26 Race. Led by Skipper David Sautret and First Mate Lorraine O’Hanlon, it was a moment of celebration as the team lined the sun-drenched deck of the yacht to soak up the crowds that had gathered to cheer them into their home port of Punta del Este, Uruguay.

And after a relentless 28 days at sea, the arrival of Yacht Club Punta del Este marks the third time a home boat has placed within the fleet, and the fourth time the destination has been plotted on the Clipper Race’s international route. Talking as the fleet arrived, the commodore of Yacht Club Punta del Este, Juan Etcheverrito, said, “How amazed we are to host the Clipper Race once again; this will be our fourth time, and the excitement doesn’t get worn out.”

Upon arrival, Skipper David Sautret said: “I am very pleased to be at my home port! We have received so many messages from our supporters and from the Yacht Club Punta del Este. It took all the crew a lot of grit and courage to get to where we are today, and I continue to be very impressed by them; they keep faith and courage. It is a long race, and especially when things are not going the way we hope. We have learned on this race to lose together, so now we are in good position to win together.

This second stage of the Clipper Race, named the YCPE Cup in honor of the welcoming Host Port and its home yacht, saw the fleet race some 5,300nm across the Atlantic Ocean and experience just about every sailing condition on offer.

First Mate Lorraine O’Hanlon spoke of how her team was taking to life at sea so naturally. She said, “On deck, it’s wonderful seeing the watches working in harmony, with evolutions becoming smoother and quicker. Especially reefing, with one watch holding the record of fastest reef at three and a half minutes.”

The next leg of racing, Leg 2: The South Atlantic Challenge began on October, 20, 2025, with the fleet heading to Cape Town, South Africa.