Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Elisha McCallion has extended her congratulations to the Skipper and crew of the Derry~Londonderry~Doire yacht on securing fourth place on Leg 1 of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.
The Derry boat just missed on securing a podium place when they were beaten to third spot by GREAT Britain after 48 hours of dramatic racing between the two which saw each team take the lead several times.
The Mayor,who extended her congratulations to the Skipper and crew via Skype over the weekend, says she was delighted to speak to the team and extend her best wishes on behalf of the people of the city and district.
She said the crew were in good form and delighted to have reached dry land after over three weeks at sea. She added that the tragic death of Andrew Ashman, a crew member on board Ichorcoal , at the beginning of the race had impacted on them greatly and he is very much in their thoughts and prayers.
“The crew were in good spirits. They were so excited to have made it to the finish line of Leg 1 and looking forward to meeting family and friends and chilling out for a few days. They were obviously tired but very happy to have reached Rio and to have secured third/fourth place in the race. They intend to use the next couple of days as a time to reflect and support their team mates from the other crews following the tragic death of Andrew Ashman, two weeks ago. This will be the first time the teams will have come together since the tragedy and his sad passing is very much to the forefront of their minds,” she said.
Extending her best wishes to the Skipper and crew as they prepare to set off on Leg 2 of the Clipper Race, across the South Atlantic towards Cape Town , later in the week, Mayor Cllr McCallion said the people of Derry City and Strabane District Council are one hundred per cent behind the team.
“We are extremely proud of every single member of the team as they represent the city and district on a mammoth sail around the world. It’s a huge challenge for everyone involved and we love watching their progress in the race.
“Our participation in the Clipper Race is a huge opportunity for us to promote our city and district and encourage as many people as possible to come to Derry in July next year to be part of our Foyle Maritime Festival celebrations and to see how we are progressing in terms of our cultural, historical and tourism offering,” she added.

#ClipperRace - A British crewman on a yacht competing in the Clipper Round The World Race has died after an onboard accident days into the first leg.

Andrew Ashman (49) from Orpington in Kent was knocked unconscious by the mainsheet while reefing the main sail on the Plymouth-registered yachr CV21, racing as IchorCoal.

The yacht was sailing in moderate seas with a strong breeze building to Force 6 some 120 nautical miles off the Portuguese coast at the time of the accident, just after midnight in the early hours of this morning (Saturday 5 September).

Ashman, an experienced yachtman and paramedic, was given immediate medical assistance and attempted resuscitation but failed to regain consciousness.

Skipper Darren Ladd reports that the boat linked immediately by satellite phone to the race's remote medical team in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where a doctor provided additional advice and guidance during the emergency.

CV21 is now diverting to northern Portugal to a suitable marina in the Porto area, yet to be confirmed, and is expected to arrive in the early hours of tomorrow morning (Sunday 6 September).

“This is extremely sad news and my heart goes out to his bereaved family and friends, and to his fellow crew who have come to know Andrew with great affection during his training and the early days of this race," said Clipper Race founder Sir Robin Knox-Johnson on news of the tragedy.

"Safety is always our utmost priority, as our record shows, and we shall investigate the incident immediately in full cooperation with the authorities.”

The deceased was due to participate in the current race to Brazil, the Southern Ocean and USA coast-to-coast legs of the Clipper 2015-16 Race.

#clipperrace – At 60 days before the start of the tenth edition of the biennial classic Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, details have been revealed of the spectacular departure planned from St Katharine Docks in front of Tower Bridge, London, on Sunday 30 August.

Race Director Justin Taylor has announced details of the departure programme with a parade for all twelve 70-foot yachts going through Tower Bridge, twice.

The world's longest ocean race will set sail from St Katharine Docks, central London's only marina, which is the Official Race Start and Finish Port for the second consecutive time.

The fleet will arrive at the Marina on Friday afternoon 21 August, with the full fleet expected to be berthed by 1730 BST. The Race Village will open daily from 1100 to 1800 from Saturday 22 until Sunday 30 August, when the fleet departs.

The Race Village will feature a wide range of attractions and there will be a number of free open boats each day until Saturday 29 August.

On departure day, Sunday 30 August, the entertainment gets underway at 1100 with all crews taking the Central Basin pontoon stage between 1300 and 1400.

"The fleet will slip from 1415 and parade in the Thames together with a flotilla of spectator boats," explained Race Director Justin Taylor. "At 1530 Tower Bridge will open to let all twelve yachts enter the Upper Pool.

"The final parade down the Thames will start at 1600 when Tower Bridge opens again and the fleet makes its way out of London on its 11-month circumnavigation."

The first race to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil will get underway on Monday 31 August at 1230 BST (1130 UTC) off Southend.

St Katharine Docks say the marina is the ideal location to introduce the race to Londoners. The picturesque waterside community of offices, shops, bars and restaurants offers an ideal day out in the heart of the capital. Visitors to the Clipper Race village in the docks will take in the spirit of adventure with a variety of free entertainment, open boat tours and attractions.

William Bowman, St Katharine Docks Marina Director commented: "St Katharine Docks is proud to once again be the Official Race Start and Finish Port of the remarkable Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. Whether you are a sailing enthusiast or someone who is simply intrigued by courageous human spirit, this is a truly inspiring and unique event taking part in the heart of London that shouldn't be missed."

The Clipper Race was established by British yachting legend Sir Robin Knox-Johnston who became the first person to sail solo non-stop around the world in 1968-9. 46 years later at the age of 76, he is still sailing competitively and commented on today's announcement from his boat Grey Power, ahead of its start in the Transatlantic Race. Sir Robin said:"To be able to mark our tenth edition in another spectacular start from London on the Thames is great news. St Katharine Docks proved to be an excellent base for our race village and I'm pleased we can return there for this landmark series in the history of the Clipper Race which will celebrate its 20th anniversary next year."

VIRTUAL RACE

For fans, friends and family left behind when the race departs, there is the opportunity to get online and play the Virtual Clipper Race with an exciting new version of the official Race Game also being revealed today.

"We're teaming up with the Virtual Regatta for the fourth consecutive edition so that followers of the world's longest ocean race can once again have the chance to test their skills against the fleet in the Virtual Clipper Race," explains Clipper Race Global Business and Communications Director Jonathan Levy.

"The Virtual Race is a great way to get involved and is a highly addictive game which provides a brilliant opportunity for fans, friends and family ashore. Players of the game race along the same route and have to tackle the same weather conditions as the actual fleet. Deciding on sail plan and course can be very challenging, even while racing from an armchair!

"For our tenth edition there is a brand new look and feel to the game and former Clipper Race crew will be recognised with specially branded virtual ocean racing yachts."

Over 60,000 people played the game during the previous edition. The overall leader in the next series will win a week of Clipper Race training at their training base in Portsmouth Harbour.

The Virtual Regatta is created by Paris based Many Players. Founder and President Philippe Guigné welcomed news of the new partnership to provide the Official Clipper Race Game. He said: "I am very pleased to be working with the Clipper Race for their tenth edition. We aim to grow the audience even further in the 2015-16 series, especially with the new interface design and special features we are introducing."

Details on how to sign up for the Virtual Clipper 2015-16 Race will be announced shortly.

#clipperrace – Organisers of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race have gifted Derry City and Strabane District Council with a unique opportunity for two community workers or volunteers to win a place on board the Derry~Londonderry~Doire yacht for the 2015-16 race.

Entitled 'Voice of the Community', the bursary invites organisations across the city and district to nominate someone they believe has made a notable contribution to the life of their community, with the ultimate prize of sailing a leg of the famous Clipper 2015-16 Race.

Explaining his reasons for awarding the bursary to Derry City and Strabane District Council, Clipper Race founder and chairman Sir Robin Knox-Johnston said: "The Voice of the Community bursary allows us to give something back to the people of Derry-Londonderry and Strabane as means of saying thank you for the incredible hospitality and support the community has given to us over the last five years.

"This bursary is designed to reward those who spend their time trying to better the lives of others. Selflessness and commitment are important qualities we encourage among all of our Clipper Race crew."

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Elisha McCallion, is urging community groups to put forward their nominations. She added: "We are hugely thankful to Sir Robin and the Clipper Race for gifting us this unique Voice of the Community bursary.

"Our community is full of people who dedicate their time and effort to making our city the successful, thriving place we are all so proud to be part of. The Clipper Race is hugely popular here so this is a great opportunity for our local community heroes to represent the city around the world whilst having a truly memorable life experience on board our Derry~Londonderry~Doire yacht."

The Clipper Race is the longest ocean race in the world. Divided into eight individual legs which cross six different continents, it is an extraordinary adventure. Over 650 crew experience the power and beauty of the world's oceans when they race in teams to exciting destinations on this epic journey of a lifetime.

Established by Sir Robin to give everyone, regardless of previous sailing experience, the chance to experience the exhilaration of ocean racing, 40 per cent of Clipper Race crew have never sailed before they sign up. Full race training is provided.

Community groups are invited to nominate someone they believe has made a real difference to their local area by filling out a nomination form. All nominees must live within Derry City and Strabane District Council. They must also be over 18 years old, have a great sense of adventure and be committed to sharing their knowledge and skills with others as a 'Voice of a Community' ambassador on the Clipper 2015-16 Race. Winners must also be available to complete four weeks of training ahead of joining the race.

The deadline for nominations is Monday 8 June at 12 noon. Submissions will be shortlisted for public voting on Wednesday 10 June with the successful candidates decided by the highest combined scores achieved through public vote and leadership assessment training.

This is the third consecutive race to feature a Derry~Londonderry~Doire entry and the city will once again welcome the race fleet with its award winning Foyle Maritime Festival next summer.

Community groups interested in finding out more about applying or the process involved should contact Derry City and Strabane District Council via email [email protected]

#clipperrace – The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race has helped one of its Host Ports and Team Sponsors to scoop a prestigious travel industry award for an outstanding contribution to tourism by creating a highly successful week-long festival which attracted over 140,000 visitors and a £3m boost to the local economy.

Derry-Londonderry's 'LegenDerry Maritime Festival' took the top tourism honour by picking up the Best Event/Festival Experience title at the prestigious 2015 Northern Ireland Tourism NITA Awards.

"Congratulations to everyone in Derry-Londonderry who made this such a success. The accolade is richly deserved," said Clipper Race founder and chairman Sir Robin Knox-Johnston. "This is another excellent example of how the Clipper Race works with its partners and host ports to boost tourism and make a significant economic impact. The local Council and its partners richly deserve this prestigious accolade."

The LegenDerry Maritime Festival was based around the arrival of the twelve-strong Clipper 2013-14 Race fleet of 70-foot ocean racing yachts, including local entry Derry-Londonderry-Doire, which visited the city on its epic global journey after crossing the Atlantic from New York. The crew received a rapturous reception and the celebrations continued throughout the stopover which culminated in a stunning aerial display by the Red Arrows.

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District, Councillor Elisha McCallion, explained, "It's been hugely significant in terms of promoting the North West region and brought tens of thousands of visitors to Derry. The city will be a stopover destination for the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race for the third time in 2016 and, as we prepare to host the Foyle Maritime Festival next year, we are looking forward to welcoming visitors from around the world for an even more spectacular celebration."

The Clipper Race works with its Team Sponsors and Host Ports around the world and the tenth edition of the unique biennial global sailing series will start in spectacular style from London on 30 August and visit major destinations on six continents in Brazil, South Africa, Australia, China and North America before returning to Europe and finishing back in London in July 2016.

"The fact that Derry City and Strabane District Council organise their maritime festival around our stopover in Lough Foyle is testament to the strength of our partnership. It is a shining example of how to maximise the benefits of hosting the Clipper Race. I am looking forward to returning to the city next summer very much," added Sir Robin.

The 40,000 mile race is the longest around the planet and takes almost a year to complete. Its amateur crew are led by professional skippers on twelve identically matched 70-foot yachts which compete in one of the most gruelling sporting challenges in the world.

#clippperrace – UK based Clipper Ventures, organisers of the 40,000 mile Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, has signed its first comprehensive Chinese broadcast deal today with Beijing Television.

Beijing Television (BTV) will follow the Chinese team in the 2015-16, tenth edition of the unique biennial event established by British yachting legend Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and aimed at complete novices who are trained to take on the world's most challenging oceans under the command of professional skippers.

The Clipper Race already produces generic sports and human adventure programming distributed by BBC Worldwide, but is developing additional territory specific co-production partnerships to focus on individual national teams and participants.

"It is the first time we have embarked upon a co-production of this scale to produce a comprehensive Chinese language documentary series, news, sports and online coverage about the Clipper Race which will focus on the entry from the former Beijing 2008 Olympics sailing city of Qingdao," explained Clipper Ventures Global Business and Communications Director Jonathan Levy.

In the 2013-14 edition of the Clipper Race the Beijing Television Documentary Channel followed crew member Vicky (Kun) Song as she became the first Chinese woman to sail around the world, in a highly acclaimed documentary series. Building on the success of this collaboration, the new partnership will follow every twist and turn of the Chinese crew's adventure as their tough global challenge unfolds across the BTV network over the year-long ocean odyssey, culminating in the 'behind-the-scenes' real life documentary series.

BTV Documentary Channel Director Mr Chen Dali signed the agreement with Clipper Ventures at today's ceremony at the Beijing International Film Festival Documentary Section: "This is a very exciting partnership with the organisers of this remarkable event. We will be able to follow the human story of this unique challenge as the Chinese crew complete their training and embark on this life-changing experience.

"We will not only have our own cameraman aboard the Qingdao yacht for the whole race but we will also have rights to access all the official race footage from a range of fixed and manned cameras on Qingdao and all the other competing boats, in addition to helicopter, on-water and land based cameras."

BTV is available nationally on its satellite channels and on-line as well as a rapidly growing cable/IPTV distribution across China, especially in major urban centres such as Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Tianjin, Guangzhou, ChangChun, Harbin, Jinan, Chengdu and Kunming, etc.

New innovative services are also being pioneered in China by BTV. They have established Beijing Internet Broadcasting Station Work Base, which incorporates web, IPTV, mobile terminal services and Weibo/Wechat social media platforms.

Mr Levy added: "I am looking forward to working with Beijing Television on this ground breaking Chinese production partnership. I am confident it will generate a compelling multi-channel viewing experience culminating in a high quality real life adventure series."

A BTV cameraman is already undergoing training in the UK with some of the Chinese crew. The Clipper 2015-16 Race will start from the UK at the end of August and take six months to reach Qingdao, China. The race route visits ports in Brazil, South Africa, Australia and South East Asia before arriving in China. It will then head across the Pacific Ocean to the west coast of the USA, through the Panama Canal to the east coast of the USA before returning to Europe, Northern Ireland, The Netherlands and back to the UK in summer 2016.

#rtir – Three months from now, the world's largest fleet of matched ocean racers will make its debut on the start line of the 84th JP Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race (RTI) against 1,600 competitors.

It will be the eleventh time that Clipper Events has entered the largest single sailing race in the world and the fourth largest participation sporting event in the UK. This year, a record of sixteen Clipper Events yachts will compete, including the newest fleet of twelve Clipper 70-foot ocean racers, and four Clipper 68-foot yachts.

At the helm on board the fleet of Clipper 70s will be 144 employees from RTI Race Title Sponsor, JP Morgan Asset Management. Vice President of the Corporate Investment Bank, Cy Lloyd-Jones who has been the Commodore of the JP Morgan London Sailing Club for the past eight years says: "With the impressive size of boats Clipper Events offers, it is easy to spot the other entries on the water, which adds an extra level of competitiveness.

"The calibre of the Clipper Events staff both on and off the water is very high. The skipper and mates are enthusiastic and professional, it's a level of professionalism that is hard to find elsewhere in the sailing industry and we are looking forward to taking part in this classic race."

The leading global financial service will be racing in the Clipper Yacht class for the chance to win the Vaphio Cup against four Clipper 68's, chartered by private clients and companies Standard Chartered Bank and the RTI official clothing partner, Henri Lloyd. The class was created in 2009 after event organisers the Island Sailing Club donated the Cup to Clipper Events for its class and each yacht design will race under its ITC handicap.

Designed by renowned naval architect Tony Castro, the Clipper 70 is fast and dynamic, breaking speed records of 35 knots. It features twin helms, twin rudders and a six-foot bowsprit, which allows the inclusion of three large asymmetric spinnakers and a suite of Yankee headsails, which combine to increase performance and boat speed. The fleet is tried and tested with over 40,000 nautical miles of offshore ocean racing across some of the world's most hospitable oceans whilst the Ed Dubois designed Clipper 68 has completed four circumnavigations.

The famous 50-mile race around the Isle of Wight sees 1,600 yachts take to the Solent. Teams of individuals come from all walks of life from across the globe with a variety of sailing experience, ranging from complete novices who have never sailed before to famous faces from the sailing industry.

Founded by legendary yachtsman and Clipper Ventures Chairman Sir Robin Knox-Johnston in 1995, Clipper Events is no stranger to adventure. It stands apart from other sailing event providers by using its unique fleet of identical ocean racers for iconic sailing events and hospitality and development experiences in the UK and Australia in Sydney, which also meets the business and relationship development objectives of UK and global companies. Previous sailing experience is not required as training is provided by professional Clipper Events staff.

Commenting on this year's race, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston says: This is Britain's largest sailing participation event and our fleet of twelve new Clipper 70's and four Clipper 68's will be up against some seriously fast yachts as well as some intense competition between themselves. The prospect of racing against as many as 1,600 boats in a crowded course of the 50 miles around the Isle of Wight really makes this one of the most exciting days in the sailing calendar. I wish them all an exhilarating day of competitive racing."

#clipper – One year after an MOB in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, during the Clipper 2013-14 Round the World Yacht Race, in which a crew member was successfully rescued after 100 minutes in the water, organisers have revealed the development of a new automatically activated AIS beacon.

"It was a result of the crew member's experience, the fact that he could have been knocked unconscious when he hit the rudder, the fact that his lifejacket did not automatically inflate (we found the reason for this later) and that his beacon was initially switched onto test instead of activate, causing a life threatening delay, we decided to try to create an automatically activated beacon," explained Clipper Race founder and chairman Sir Robin Knox-Johnston.

"After close collaboration and intense development between the Clipper Race team, technology partner Spinnaker International and McMurdo Group, I am glad to say that we now have a prototype, using the McMurdo AIS Beacon and will be making sea trials in mid-April. We were lucky to get Andrew back and at the Clipper Race we don't believe in relying on luck where safety is concerned."

Andrew Taylor, 47, was hit by a huge wave and swept overboard on 30 March 2014 from the Derry~Londonderry~Doire entry. His incredible man overboard rescue is told in a book launched today called '179W – One Seven Nine West' named after the exact co-ordinates where he fell overboard; it details his fight for survival and pays tribute to the training, team and equipment that saved his life.

Andrew commented: "Many of the fleeting moments on that fateful day could easily have ended differently. As could have the subsequent story's ending. I genuinely believe, as a result of some of the outcomes of this incident, that lives will now be saved in the future and for both this, and escaping with my own life, I am totally humbled and shall be eternally grateful to very many special people."

When Andrew activated his McMurdo AIS MOB device after about an hour in the water, his crew was able to pinpoint his exact location and come to his aid faster than following their search pattern; vital minutes for Andrew's survival after being in the water for so long.

"We are delighted to be celebrating Andrew's amazing story here today," said Jean-Yves Courtois, CEO of Orolia, McMurdo's parent corporation. "At McMurdo we strive to make it possible for people to do what they love, whether it's sailing, flying or exploring, and to keep them safe while they pursue their dreams. Andrew's story exemplifies this – his crew and our technology kept him safe to race another day."

#clipperskipper – There will be no Irish skipper in the next Clipper Round the World Yacht Race but the world's longest global race has revealed its most diverse ever line-up of professional skippers who will lead their amateur crews in the tenth edition of the world famous challenge, setting sail on August 30, 2015.

For the first time in the Clipper Race's nineteen year history, the group of twelve professionals includes two women skippers, from Canada and Australia, and the first ever skippers to represent France and Ukraine/Germany. The UK is also strongly represented with skippers from Scotland, Somerset, Cornwall and Hampshire.

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Clipper Race founder and Chairman, said: "In preparation for our tenth edition Clipper Race, I feel very proud to welcome our most diverse and international group of race skippers yet.

"This is the first time we've had two women skippers in one race and I very much hope they will inspire future female participation. I'm also delighted to see the Clipper Race broadening its professional appeal as we welcome our first French and first Ukrainian/German skippers."

Adding, he said: "Clipper Race crew come from all over the world so I'm pleased to reflect this in our leadership. I look forward to working with all our skippers over the coming months as they prepare for another thrilling race."

The Clipper Race is one of the world's toughest challenges. 40,000 nautical miles long, taking almost a year to complete, this is the only event of its kind which gives amateur sailors the chance to sail round the world, taking on Mother Nature's most remote conditions. Fewer people have completed the Clipper Race than have climbed Mount Everest.

Hoping to follow the success of compatriot Eric Holden, Clipper 2013-14 Race winner, Canadian skipper Diane Reid, 42, from Toronto said: "The Clipper Race combines all my passions and goals. I want to race round the world stupidly fast and I love teaching sailing. I am a passionate sailor who loves competition and winning, but also loves seeing individuals excel and triumph over hurdles."

The race sees twelve teams compete against each other on the world's largest matched fleet of 70-ft ocean racing yachts, designed for speed not comfort. Crew represent over 40 different countries and can choose to compete in either the full circumnavigation or individual legs. The only professionals on board are the skippers who safely lead their team.

Clipper 2015-16 Race skippers:

CANADA:
Diane Reid, 42, is the first Canadian woman to be appointed as a Clipper Race Skipper and is hoping to emulate the success of her compatriot Eric Holden, winner of the Clipper 2013-14 Race. Diane has combined her career as a racer, competing in races such as the Mini Transat (from Northern Europe to Guadeloupe), with her desire to share her love of sailing with others, by coaching when she is at home in Canada.

AUSTRALIA:
Wendy Tuck, 50, from Sydney is Australia's first female skipper in the Clipper Race. Wendy got into sailing in her twenties and has spent the last decade as an RYA sailing instructor and charter skipper. So far, she has competed in eight Rolex Sydney-Hobart Races, which means she is only two races away from achieving her lifetime goal of ten, and making it on to the CYCA honours list.

FRANCE:
Olivier Cardin, 45, from Saint Aubin sur Mer, Normandy is the first French skipper in our nineteen year history. Olivier has a rich racing history, including two seasons match racing with French Olympic sailor and two-time Finn Gold Cup champion, Philippe Presti. The former IT Project Manager shares his passion for sailing with his family and took his wife - a novice sailor - and three young children under the age of five, sailing round the world in 2011.

UKRAINE/GERMANY:
Igor Gotlibovych, 27, was born in Kharkov, Ukraine before moving to Germany at a young age. His dual nationality means he is both our first Ukrainian and first German Race Skipper in one. Igor, who has a PhD in Experimental Atomic Physics from Cambridge University, is the youngest of the 2015-16 skippers but he has already garnered years of sailing experience as an instructor and a racer.

SCOTLAND, UK:
Daniel Smith, 31, from West Kilbride, North Ayrshire, is a Senior Yachting and Watersports Instructor who has been sailing since he was a little boy on family holidays in the Scottish Islands. The Scotsman, who graduated from Glasgow University with a degree in Computer Science, is a former Scottish Schools National Champion sailor who is also a qualified wind surfing and power boat instructor.

CORNWALL, UK:
Peter Thornton 36, from Gorran Haven, has seen his career progress from being a Gorran and Mevagissey Sea Scout, to being awarded an MBE at the age of twenty-five for a period of service as the Flag Lieutenant to the First Sea Lord and Admiralty Board at the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. After fifteen years of service, Peter moved into sailing chartered yachts and has competed in the Isle of Wight Round the Island Race, Taittinger Cup, and the Rolex Sydney-Hobart.

Huw Fernie, 31, from Falmouth, is very familiar with the Clipper Race, having worked as a training mate here since 2012. Huw's love of sailing developed from childhood holidays with his grandparents. After getting his degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Glasgow University, he decided it was time to focus completely on sailing. When Huw's crew line up in the celebrated event in December 26, 2015, it will be his third time competing in the Sydney-Hobart Race.

Ashley Skett, 31, from Newquay is a former firefighter who grew up in Stratford-upon-Avon and learned to sail dinghies off the Cornish coast as a child. Ashley, who studied at Plymouth University, marks being accepted into the Royal Marines as one of his greatest achievements. He has spent the last couple of years training Clipper Race crew, as well as working as a training skipper for Irish Offshore Sailing out of Dublin.

SOMERSET, UK:
Darren Ladd, 49, from Somerset, got into sailing thanks to his grandfather who would take him out on his converted lifeboat in Weymouth, as a child. Darren has had careers in the oil and gas industry and in IT but says he always felt restless because sailing was in his psyche. Darren started working for the Clipper Race as a training mate in 2011. He enjoys many adventurous activities, but says his favourite land based equivalent to sailing is probably ski-touring.

HAMPSHIRE, UK:
Greg Miller, 39, from Gosport spent 24 years serving in the British Army and has vast experience of sailing different vessels in varying conditions. Greg teaches and assesses crew at the Joint Services Adventurous Sail Training Centre and other Solent based sailing schools, including Clipper Race crew ahead of the last two races. He also has his private pilot's aeroplane licence.

Jim Prendergast, 40, was born in Sheffield but is now based in Gosport, where he is a Clipper Race training skipper and used to work as Direct Entry Watch Keeper for HM Coast Guard. Jim studied Economics, History and Politics and had a career in sales and marketing before becoming a full-time sailor. He has skippered crew across the Atlantic Ocean and has also raced in the Fastnet.

Max Stunell, 34, from Portsmouth, is another member of the Clipper Race training team. Max started sailing during his schooldays in Portsmouth and now has several Atlantic Ocean crossings under his belt. He spent a few years working in advertising in London before returning to sailing full-time on the south coast. Max also spent a ski season working in Austria.

#clipper – An amazing opportunity to train alongside the crews taking part in the ultimate global endurance test – the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race 2015/16 – is up for grabs through a special bursary scheme opening this week.

Organisers of the event have announced details of the 'Your Next Chapter' Bursary which is open to young people aged 18 and over, who are currently unemployed, participating in an employability programme or in receipt of benefits, and living in the Derry City Council or Strabane District Council areas.

Four selected participants will get to spend four weeks undertaking the training required to sail the 70–foot ocean racing yachts, which all race crew members have to complete at the Clipper Race headquarters in Gosport, South England.

Mayor of Derry, Councillor Brenda Stevenson, who was on the docks to greet the Clipper Race fleet during their rapturous welcome into Derry-Londonderry in 2014 said:

"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for some local young people to avail of specialised professional sail training. Not only will it provide them with a new set of skills but it will allow them to experience what life at sea is really like.

"The Legenderry Maritime Festival which saw the Clipper Race boats captivate the city, had a huge impact on the people of the city and district and we are delighted to continue with our legacy commitment and build on the interest in sailing by offering this bursary opportunity."

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston founded the Clipper Race to encourage and help ordinary people do extraordinary things. When the 2015-16 race fleet sets sail on August 30, it will mark the beginning of the tenth anniversary of the race, so it's a special year for those selected for 'Your Next Chapter' to be part of. Speaking about the scheme Sir Robin said:

"The objectives of the 'Your Next Chapter' scheme match many of my own goals when I founded the Clipper Race nineteen years ago. Sailing provides the opportunity to develop so many core skills that are invaluable throughout life, such as discipline and honesty, because your success and survival is down to a real team effort.

"The Clipper Race training challenges people mentally and physically, but also brings a remarkable sense of achievement when you reach your goal. Many of the people who have completed this training previously find that they have a new zest for life and approach work with a new found confidence."

The Clipper 2015-16 Race returns to Derry-Londonderry in June next year, which marks the city's third team entry in the world's longest ocean race.

'Your Next Chapter' follows the success of the 'Back to Work' bursary project that Derry City Council ran in partnership with the Clipper 2011-12 Race. Of the five finalists who were each selected to sail a leg each of the Clipper Race, four ended up in full time employment or a placement as a direct result of the scheme. All of the participants agreed that the scheme had a positive effect on their future employment.

Thanks to the 2011-12 bursary, Matthew Plummer, 46, completed the training and sailed from San Francisco to New York. He said: "The 'Back to Work' scheme for me was a once in a lifetime experience. It was a tremendous opportunity to sail and work alongside so many people from different parts of the world. It provides the ability to learn new skills and develop in ways you wouldn't believe possible. The crew works so hard together and everyone endeavours to do their best to achieve a common goal, because after all it is a race round the world.

"The bursary scheme is a fantastic opportunity to challenge yourself to work hard to achieve new goals by pushing and motivating yourself. The experience can lead to exciting opportunities both in your personal and professional life. In my opinion to take part in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is something many people can only dream about."

Those interested in taking part are urged to apply by downloading the application form available online at www.derrycity.gov.uk/clipperrace. A strict criteria is in place for all applicants, and no participants in the previous 'Back to Work' scheme are eligible to apply.

The closing date for application is March 9 2015. Successful applicants will be required to be interviewed at the end of March and be available to travel to England for level 1 and 2 training in early May and for level 3 and 4 training at the end of June/beginning of July.