12 boats. 11 months. 15 ports. Over 40,000 miles. One winner.
In September 2013, Eric Holden and his amateur crew took off to conquer any sailor’s ultimate challenge: circumnavigating the globe in the Clipper Round The World yacht race. But this wasn’t a cruise, this was a race around the world.
Eric Holden and the team of CV21-Henri Lloyd saw their first podium after crossing the Atlantic to Brazil. The team secured its place at the top of the leaderboard through the first half of the race through Australia, then had a devastating retirement in the Sydney-Hobart Race due to rudder bearing failure.
“Whenever I thought the team couldn’t be pushed any harder, they dug deeper through some of the worst sailing conditions I have ever seen on the planet.” – Eric Holden
Holden’s team overcame their fall from grace with a first-place win to Singapore for their first race back in the game. The team racked up points across the Pacific races, won into Jamaica and had a clean sweep into New York City. The race concluded in London July 2014, but the team secured their win in the penultimate race into The Netherlands.
Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, founder of the Clipper Race, chose Holden from some 180 applicants to become the race’s first ever Canadian skipper.
“He’s very focused. And he’s a meteorologist, which always helps with ocean racing,” Knox-Johnston said on Holden’s success. “His crew obviously thinks very highly of him, he’s showing very good leadership.”
Clipper Race Sailor Celebrates in 2014 Sail Canada Awards
December 22nd 2014
Henri Lloyd Presented with the Clipper Race Trophy at ST Katharine Docks Prize giving
July 12th 2014
Henri Lloyd Wins Race 15 The OneDLL Cup to Den Helder The Netherlands
July 4th 2014
Henri Lloyd Skipper Eric Holden Wins Sail Canada Sailor of the Month Awards After Points Haul
June 12th 2014
Henri Lloyd Wins Big in Race 13 The Grange Hotel Trophy to New York
May 31st 2014
Henri Lloyd Claims Line Honors in race 12 The Spirit of Jamaica Chase
May 18th 2014
Henri Lloyd Presented with Old Pulteney Navigator Cup for Race 8 Win
February 17th 2014
Henri Lloyd Clinches First Win in Race 5 of Clipper Race
December 12th 2013
