Irish First In London Finale For Second Overall In Clipper Race

1st August 2016

Derry~Londonderry~Doire leaving Foyleside last month on the penultimate leg of the race

#ClipperRace - First across the line in London wasn't quite enough for Derry~Londonderry~Doire to clinch the Clipper Round the World Race title from their rivals on LMAX Exchange.

The Oliver Cardin-skippered boat was confirmed on Friday night (29 July) as the winner of the 10th Clipper Race after losing only two points of their six-point lead to the Northern Irish challengers in the short final leg to the UK capital.

Yet despite missing out on victory honours by such a minor margin, the crew of Dan Smith's boat can hold their heads high for a race well sailed.

"We set out to win this race to London, as we have done the whole way round the world, so it is great to go out on a high," he said. "We knew our fate wasn't in our own hands so all we could do was give it our best shot and the team has proved how strong we are."

Smith added: "It's hard to believe that we have finished the race, but our aim was to be competitive, get everyone round safely and to have fun doing it. I couldn't be more proud of the crew."

Derry~Londonderry~Doire were awarded their first place pennant for their final leg win at the prizegiving ceremony in London's St Katherine Docks on Saturday (30 July).

The race village remains open for the rest of the week, giving visitors an opportunity to tour some of the Clipper 70 yachts that completed this incredible circumnavigation for Corinthians.

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MacDara Conroy

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MacDara Conroy is a contributor covering all things on the water, from boating and wildlife to science and business

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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.