Warning gun signals launch of Clipper Race Yacht Club

9th April 2009

The idea of forming the Clipper Race Yacht Club (CRYC) was floated at the International London Boat Show in January 2009. The club’s aim is to bring together all those that have been involved in the six Clipper Round the World Yacht Races to date and, in time, those on future Clipper Races. Over 340 members have signed up for the club so far and it is expected this number will grow significantly by the time the official launch takes place in St Katherine’s Dock at 12:00 on 24th April 2009.

The President of the CRYC is Sir Robin Knox-Johnston. It was Sir Robin’s initial idea to organise an event where all the perceived boundaries of experience and privilege were removed and ocean racing became accessible to all. Both the Vice Presidents are ex-crew members. Gordon Whitley from Lancashire competed in a leg of the inaugural Clipper 96 Race while Sir Keith Mills, who heads Britain’s America’s Cup challenge TEAMORIGIN, was a crew member in 1998 with the well known single handed racer, Alex Thomson, as his skipper.

Colin de Mowbray, who was a skipper in the first Clipper Race in 1996 and has since been closely involved in managing all the subsequent races, has been appointed Commodore.

Membership of the CRYC for those qualified is easy. “We don’t do interviews” says Colin de Mowbray. “Those were all done before the members were accepted for one of the Clipper Races and before they did their three weeks of pre-race training. As for experience, once they have done a leg on the Clipper Race they are qualified for the Club. That means that all members have a minimum of 3,000 miles of ocean racing experience. Not many clubs can boast that!”

The CRYC is independent from race organiser, Clipper Ventures Plc, but retains strong links. The club has a wide international element with its membership spread around the world. The heart of the club is its website and online database that members can access. These areas, along with a growing list of miscellaneous events, will grow as the club establishes itself.

“Apart from the social aspect there are two particular areas where there will be an immediate interest,” explained Colin de Mowbray. “One is that the CRYC will provide an invaluable group of experienced sailors who will be available to assist when crewing opportunities arise and there will be a system to put people in touch with crewing positions both within the club and externally. Another is that by the very nature of the crews, many are now involved in exciting projects and expeditions. The Club will act as a means of keeping members informed and offering mutual help and support.”

Further information about the club, including membership details for ex-Clipper crew is at www.clipperraceyc.com

Published in News From the Afloat.ie Archive

About The Author

Afloat.ie Team

Email The Author

Afloat.ie is Ireland's dedicated marine journalism team.

Have you got a story for our reporters? Email us here.

We've got a favour to ask

More people are reading Afloat.ie than ever thanks to the power of the internet but we're in stormy seas because advertising revenues across the media are falling fast. Unlike many news sites, we haven’t put up a paywall because we want to keep our marine journalism open.

Afloat.ie is Ireland's only full–time marine journalism team and it takes time, money and hard work to produce our content.

So you can see why we need to ask for your help.

If everyone chipped in, we can enhance our coverage and our future would be more secure. You can help us through a small donation. Thank you.