Events DC returns for second edition as Host Port and Team Partner

Natalie Hill
28/08/25
The Race, The Route, Partners
3 mins read

It wasn’t goodbye, it was see you later! Events DC returns as Team and Host Port Partner

Following the success of its debut visit to the US capital, the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race will return to Washington, DC in the summer of 2026 -with a home boat also sailing back to its namesake port.

And in the race’s most inclusive edition to date – with over 55% of its professionals leading the fleet female – it's 21-year-old Skipper Ella Hebron who takes to the helm of Team Washington, DC making it back-to-back female skippers for the USA yacht. Ella competed on the DC team entry on the last edition as First Mate and is ready to sail round the world for a second time.

For this edition she'll be joined by First Mate Charlie Cullen, who was introduced to sailing aged six on his dad’s enterprise dinghy and has been hooked ever since. After childhood trips across the Channel and competing in local races, he joined the Tall Ships Youth Trust, progressing from Watch Leader to First Mate. He has also spent seven years volunteering with Shoreham RNLI. Now a Clipper 2025-26 Race First Mate, Charlie is excited to grow as a leader and step into professional ocean racing. Sailing around the world has long been a goal, and he’s eager to inspire and achieve alongside his team.

The Clipper Race and Events DC’s company visions align with legacy. For the Clipper Race, legacy is about its unique offering of opening ocean racing to everyday people, its longstanding international partners and the career pathway it offers professional sailors. For Events DC, they thrive on legacy and the lasting economic and community benefits that events have on the residents and businesses of the District of Columbia.

The partnership with Events DC sees the race returning to the nation’s capital, which on its last visit saw a footfall of over 228,165 to the waterfront alone, with 29% of people making the journey from out of town just to see the Clipper Race spectacle. This is combined with the legacy of pathway, with Ella stepping up to Skipper the team.

On receiving the news, UK born and raised Ella said: “I’m absolutely delighted that our boat sponsor this year is Events DC! I had the privilege of being First Mate on the Washington, DC boat last race, and the partner was fantastic. Events DC was genuinely supportive, enthusiastic, and deeply invested in the life-changing journey each crew member was on. From encouragement at sea to the incredible welcome and unforgettable celebrations in port, they made a real difference to our racing experience.

“As skipper this time around, I’m incredibly proud to be continuing our partnership and championing Washington, DC once again. As a team, we can’t wait to represent them on this extraordinary adventure around the world. We’re determined to do them proud!”

And it was the wise words of her predecessor, Hannah Brewis, who skippered Team Washington, DC on the previous edition and is now Clipper Race Manager, that encouraged Ella to take the leap. Hannah said: “I’m thrilled to see Washington, DC return as a Host Port Partner and Events DC as a Team Partner! Sailing on the Washington, DC boat was a huge part of my Race Skipper journey, and it’s fantastic to see Ella now take the baton.

“Ella and I sailed thousands of miles together on the previous Washington, DC boat, and she immediately stood out as a confident and capable sailor. I think she always knew she’d go on to skipper, but I like to think I gave her a little extra encouragement along the way.

“It’s been amazing to watch her grow as a sailor and leader, and I couldn’t imagine a better person to lead Team Washington, DC on its return.”

The partnership with Events DC, which sees the premier host of conventions, sports, entertainment, and cultural events return for a second time as both a Host Port and Team sponsor, was hailed as a success when it drove $7.2million to the area during the Clipper Race’s ten-day stopover on the 2023-24 edition.

With its focus on social and economic impact, Events DC hopes to build on the results seen on the first visit to the city, and cementing Washington, DC as a top sailing destination on the US East Coast.

“Washington, DC is proud to host the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race in 2026,” said Events DC President and CEO Angie M. Gates. “In 2024, we brought the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race to the nation's capital for the very first time and set a record for the most tours at any stopover in the history of the race. We look forward to showcasing the very best of the District and making even more history when Team Washington, DC and the rest of the fleet return to our nation’s capital.”

The stopover broke records on the 2023-24 edition when over 2,100 visitors – a Clipper Race first - hopped on board when the fleet opened its hatches to share what life is like above and below deck on a Clipper 70 racing yacht. With Race Crew taking time to share their inside knowledge and learned experience, youngsters left feeling inspired and those with an itch for adventure left feeling encouraged to take the next steps on their own once-in-a-lifetime adventure. And Chris Ruotolo, a 42-year-old Training and Development Manager from Arlington, was one of those future crew.

Chris said: “I remember hearing about the Clipper Race for the first time during the 2023-24 edition when they came through The Wharf, and I knew immediately that I wanted to be a part of it. I grew up within 5 miles of where the Clipper Race boats will depart from Washington, DC, so naturally, I feel an immense amount of pride and excitement for having been selected as part of Team Washington, DC. I'm also thrilled to have a great group of local friends and family that are going to be supporting me at the start and end of the race.”

This edition, eight Race Crew taking part hail from the DC area – with three taking on the entire round the world adventure.

DC AND LOCAL DISTRICTS CREW

The ten-strong Clipper Race fleet, including Team Washington, DC will depart from Portsmouth, UK, on 31 August.