IT’S one of the most challenging sporting events on the globe.

And the epic, round-the-world Clipper Race is now officially underway following a spectacular opening ceremony.

Dozens of Hampshire sailors are among the 12 crews who will now battle to win the 11-month, 40,000-mile challenge that is the world’s longest ocean race.

The racing begins in earnest today when the teams will begin the first, 6,000-mile stage to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.

Tower Bridge in London provided the dramatic backdrop to yesterday’s launch.

The flotilla of yachts made their way down the River Thames and under the bridge, which was raised twice to salute all the crews.

The yachts were escorted down the Thames by a host of smaller vessels and RNLI craft after the official opening ceremony.

It took place minutes before at the international Race Village at St Katharine Docks.

Some crews had been to visit Number 10 Downing Street before the ceremony, which was opened by drummers performing up the masts of ships before Brazilian dancers, marking the crews’ first destination, took over the stage.

And there was even a marriage proposal after Mission Performance crew member Ali Hudson’s boyfriend John Dyer proposed to her when she was on stage with her teammates.

There are 25 people from Hampshire among the amateur crews that will take control of the yachts, with one professional sailor skippering each vessel.

The crews have been in training for the start of the race for months.

The racing will begin in earnest tomorrow as the teams battle to make it to the first stopping point of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.

They will then sail to Albany and Queensland in Australia, before racing to Vietnam, China, Seattle and New York in the USA.

They are then due back for the finish in London next July.

This year’s teams are: Unicef, Derry/Londonderry-Doire, Da Nang, Clippertelemed, Garmin, Great Britain, Ichorcoal, Lmax Exchange, Mission Performance, PSP Logistics, Qingdao and Visit Seattle.

Sailing legend Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, founded the Clipper Race and was at the ceremony.

He said: “Irrespective of their amateur status, Mother Nature pulls no punches.

“They’re going to go through the roughest waters in the world.

“I wish them a safe and an extraordinary journey – the experiences ahead will stay with them for life.”

Among the sailors from Hampshire is James Shepherd, from Alresford .

The 30-year-old banker is on board the yacht Mission Performance.

He said: “It’s been 18 months of training and preparation leading up to this time and I am so happy that it has now begun. I have been looking forward to the spectacle and the next 11 months of my life for a long time.

“There has been a huge buzz today and the energy has been amazing.

“I was in London for the race start a couple of years ago and it was fantastic. Today has been ever better.

“The crew have been the centre of attention and although there were some tears out there.

“It was great to see all the support that had turned out to watch and everyone enjoying the spirit of the race.”