There was big news for Seattle sailing enthusiasts yesterday as the Clipper Round the World Race announced the city as a stopover in the next edition of the popular event.

The Clipper Round the World Race is the brainchild of world famous English ocean racer Sir Robin Knox Johnson in which 12 identical 70 footers, crewed by amateur sailors from all walks of life, will take to the world’s oceans in an 8 Leg round the world race starting August 30, 2015 in London.

Seattle will be the destination city for Leg 6 from Qingdao, China and will host an in-port race before sending the racers south and east on Leg 7 to New York City via Panama. The fleet is scheduled to arrive in Seattle in mid-April 2016 and the boats will be berthed at Bell Harbor Marina. If custom holds, they should be available for the public to view.

Here’s more on Seattle as a host city:

Seattle has been revealed as a new U.S. host port in the Clipper 2015-16 Race at the end of the challenging 5,600 mile month-long North Pacific leg from Qingdao in China

The race will reach Seattle in mid-April 2016 for the first time in our 19-year history. The fleet will be berthed in the city’s Bell Harbor Marina before setting off on the U.S. Coast-to-Coast leg which will again conclude in New York City via the Panama Canal.

Ralph Morton, Executive Director for the Seattle Sports Commission is looking forward to welcoming the fleet. He said: “Hosting the Clipper Race allows Seattle to showcase all of its great attractions, opportunities, and industries to an international audience.

“This platform will allow Seattle an opportunity to develop long-term relationships with both domestic and international partners and drive economic opportunity to the Pacific Northwest. We look forward to welcoming Clipper Race crew and supporters to Seattle and wish them a wonderful stay in our great city.” Continue reading.

Find out more about the Clipper Round the World Race here.