Yachts have arrived at St Katharine Docks, as the city marina hosts the first round the world sailing event from London for 40 years.
The boats taking part in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race came up the Thames to moor at the historic docks, near Tower Bridge, on Friday afternoon.
The yachts, now part of a Race Village, can be seen there until September 1 when the 12 yachts set off —creating the biggest boat procession on the Thames since the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
The Race Village features family entertainment, sailing activities, food stalls and other attractions.
A giant TV screen will also be on site on race day to give spectators a closer view of the departure.
Around 670 crew members from over 40 different nations will take part in the 40,000-mile year-long voyage visiting six continents.
The race village is open from 10am to 7pm until August 31.
On September 1, the race village is open from 9am to 5pm with departure ceremonies from 9.30am to 10.30am and again from 10.50am to 12.25pm before the yachts leave at 1.30pm.
Designed to offer everyone – regardless of sailing experience – the chance to feel the exhilaration of circumnavigation, the race has turned more than 3,500 novices, from teachers to bankers, into ocean racers since its inception in 1995.
Skippered by a professional yachtsman, each team will battle to complete eight legs over 11 months. Some crew members complete the whole race while others opt to do only part of it.
The race was founded by British sailing legend Sir Robin Knox-Johnston.
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