GOSH triumphantly sail into Oban as they are crowned Clipper winners 2026

The crew finished the leg, the penultimate of the race, in 14 days, 5 hours and 58 minutes. They crossed the line last night at the southern tip of Kerrera, shrouded by mist, and greeted by a rib of Clipper officials. 

They were even lucky enough to have a pod of pilot whales come up to the yacht while they were anchored in the Kerrera Sound.

Asked what they would get up to now, first mate Otto Kulow said he was looking forward to "the local establishments", the crew were ecstatic to find out they would be hosted by Aulay’s Bar. 

Kulow said: "What a great place to wake up to. This is my first time coming to Oban, its been highly anticipated. Hopefully after this we can check out the local establishments for some breakfast, or some beers, who knows?

"It’s my first time doing the Clipper Race, it’s been a roller coaster.

"It’s been long and difficult but also so rewarding in so many ways. It’s going to be bittersweet to finish it all off in Portsmouth.

"I’m going to miss this boat it’s really treated us quite well."

Asked what makes the team click so well, fellow crewmate Sarah Puntan-Galea said: "It started a year ago when we were put together as a team.

"We got in the classroom, we did our mission, we did our vision, thought about things, we read books, we got out there and practiced, we did extra courses and we just work really well together as a team.

"But also there’s the sailing tactics of taking those risks, flying those spinnakers at night, some people are a little bit cautious but we just went for it, and its paid off.

"We’ve got a great skipper, great first mate and a great crew. I feel very blessed to have crossed the Atlantic with these guys."

On board was 29 year-old Scot, Katie Archibald. Speaking from the arrival’s ceremony, she said: “It was fantastic, it was gorgeous! As we came through the Firth, seeing Oban emerge with its scenery, it was super special. Then hearing the bagpipes, they always remind me of home - it was so emotional.

On what she has experienced over the past 14 days of racing, she added: “Glorious sunshine, wind holes, big surf, mist for days, lightning, downpours – it really has been a bit of everything. Almost like Scottish weather, changing every 15 minutes! 

“My team (GOSH) came first which is fantastic. I’ve joined the team for this closing leg, but GOSH has been smashing it, but you want your own first flag to hang on the wall not just listing the victories. Very happy we could get another one in the bag.”

With the remaining nine leaderboard positions still to be decided out in the nearby Scottish waters, the remaining of the ten-strong fleet is expected to sail into the town’s North Pier over the next few days, bringing more than 180 Race Crew, including five Scots, into port for the final stopover of the 2025-26 edition.

The latest positions and expected arrival times for each yacht can be found on the Clipper Race tracker - clipperroundtheworld.geovoile.com/2025/tracker/. Please note that all ETAs are approximate and subject to change depending on wind and sea conditions.