Clipper Race Visits Derry-Londonderry in Search of Next generation of Sailors

19th September 2013

#clipperroundthewsorldrace – With the Northern Irish entry, Derry~Londonderry~Doire currently top of the leader board in the Clipper 13-14 Round the World Yacht Race, the search for the next generation of novice sailors brave enough to take on the challenge of the 2015-16 edition of the Clipper Race has already begun.

An estimated 120,000 spectators lined the bank of the River Thames in London on Sunday, 1 September to witness the start of this years race. A record 670 people, from all walks of life have signed up to compete in ninth edition of 40,000 mile, 11 month biennial event.

David Cusworth, Crew Recruitment and Development Director who completed a circumnavigation during the Clipper 2002 Race, will give people a first-hand insight into what it is like taking on the world’s toughest oceans when he visits Derry-Londonderry next week.

“With a skipper from Derry-Londonderry, local crew made up of teachers, farmers, and an Officer of the Garda the Derry~Londonderry~Doire crew are passionate about racing, putting their city on the global map and having fun.

“Perhaps the most popular stopover on the last race was Derry-Londonderry and so the whole fleet is looking forward to arriving next year. For my part, I’m looking forward to meeting the next batch of amazing adventurers who want to represent their city and country with pride, energy and humour in the Clipper 15-16 Race.”

Crew Recruitment Presentation

David will be holding the Clipper Race Crew Recruitment presentation at the City Hotel, in Derry-Londonderry on Monday 23 September 6pm for those eager to find out more about the race.

Founded by legendary yachtsman Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the Clipper Race is designed to provide everyone - regardless of sailing experience - the chance to race across oceans and taste the exhilaration of completing a circumnavigation. Since its inception in 1995, the Clipper Race has turned over 3,500 novices into ocean racers.

Published in Clipper Race

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Clipper Round The World Race

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About the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race

The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is undoubtedly one of the greatest ocean adventures on the planet, also regarded as one of its toughest endurance challenges. Taking almost a year to complete, it consists of eleven teams competing against each other on the world’s largest matched fleet of 70-foot ocean racing yachts.

The Clipper Race was established in 1996 by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first person to sail solo, non-stop, around the world in 1968-69. His aim was to allow anyone, regardless of previous sailing experience, the chance to embrace the thrill of ocean racing; it is the only event of its kind for amateur sailors. Around 40 per cent of crew are novices and have never sailed before starting a comprehensive training programme ahead of their adventure.

This unique challenge brings together everyone from chief executives to train drivers, nurses and firefighters, farmers, airline pilots and students, from age 18 upwards, to take on Mother Nature’s toughest and most remote conditions. There is no upper age limit, the oldest competitor to date is 76.

Now in its twelfth edition, the Clipper 2019-20 Race started from London, UK, on 02 September 2019.