Gallery: First Clipper Round the Word race yachts soar into Oban

The first Clipper Round the World race yachts have sailed into Oban overnight.

This morning the boats are sitting on the pontoons on the north pier, as thousands of people are expected to descend on the town.

The Press and Journal have put together the best pictures of this momentous occasion for Oban.

Clipper race Oban yacht — After the last ocean crossing, of a 40,000 nautical mile round-the-world challenge, Clipper Race teams arrive into the Firth of Lorne, approaching Oban. This is the first time the global sailing race has visited Scotland in its 28-year history. Image: Supplied.

It is the first time the Clipper Round the World race has had a host port in Scotland.

The yachts soared into Oban. — Clipper yachts soared into Oban, Image: Supplied.

Boats came into Oban overnight, the finish line from the leg from Washington DC to Oban is placed South of Kerrera Island which is approximately 4.5 nautical miles from the Oban North Pier berthing.

A view of the clippers in Oban. — The clippers in Oban. Image: Louise Glen/ DC Thomson.

Clipper Race Yachts are permitted to enter 24 hours a day.

The clippers — Scottish-born Skipper, James Finney, led his Zhuhai team, born in Balloch, outside of Glasgow, is also challenging for a podium spot for Zhuhai, when the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race ends in Portsmouth on 27 July. He started his career sailing around Scotland’s Western Isles. Image: Supplied.

Love Oban, who is in partnership with Bid4Oban, Wild About Argyll, Argyll and Bute Council and other partners said last night: “First yacht Perseverance arrived on North Pier Pontoons Oban at midnight, followed by Zhuhai at 2.37am then Ha Long Bay, Vietnam at 3am.

Clippers in Oban — The race is the only event of its kind which trains non-professionals to be ocean racers. Image: Supplied.

Great Oban welcome for Clippers

“Great Oban welcome given to the crew and their families and friends.

“Huge thanks to our Pipers and Ambassadors in the early hours.”

We have prepared a guide to what’s on during the clippers 10-day stay in the town.

The Clippers have arrived in Oban — The clippers have arrived in Oban. Image: Louise Glen / DC Thomson.

11 yachts and their crews will sail into the town’s North Pier on Friday, staying until July 21- when they’ll set off in a race to the finish line in Portsmouth.

Perserverance aproaching Oban — Perseverance approaching Oban. Image: Supplied.

After the last ocean crossing, of a 40,000 nautical mile round-the-world challenge, Clipper Race teams arrive at the Firth of Lorne, approaching Oban.

The Perseverance yacht sails towards Oban in Firth of Lorne. Image: Martin Shields.

This is the first time the global sailing race has visited Scotland in its 28-year history.

Shops in Oban have dressed their windows with a Clipper Round the World race theme.

Fiona Fraser has a new Clipper themed design for her window in Oban, — Fiona Fraser boat-themed window. Image: Louise Glen / DC Thomson.

Shop windows in Oban — Hello Sailor, the townsfolk have decorated their windows for the clippers arrival. Image: Louise Glen/ DC Thomson.

Helen MacKechnie, from Oban Chocolate Company has created beautiful chocolate sailing boats for the Clipper Round the World race in Oban. Image: Louise Glen/ DC Thomson.

Clipper Round the World is described as “one of the biggest challenges of the natural world and an endurance test like no other” and sees teams race 40,000 miles around the world on a 70-foot ocean racing yacht.