#clipperrace–It was the perfect finale to a magical week on the Foyle; simply LegenDerry! A near cloudless sky greeted the 270 Clipper Race crew as they awoke this morning to prepare for the penultimate race in the 2013-14 Clipper Race series – number 15 – The OneDLL Cup to Den Helder in the Netherlands.
The near 800 nautical mile race will be a tactical challenge, navigating around Scotland, into the North Sea, and then on to the historic Naval port on the north west edge of Holland.
The crew was treated to gastro breakfast sandwiches prepared by local 'celebrity' chefs before the teams were led to their yachts by Derry-Londonderry Mayor Councillor Brenda Stevenson.
Skippers were presented with their locally crafted awards trophies and mementos of their stay in the city by the Mayor.
"You and your crews have all been very special," said Mayor Stevenson. "We've loved having you here. You're helping us tell our new story with pride and inspiring a new generation in this city."
Crowds swelled as the moment to slip lines approached, joined by VIPs of local dignitaries, including deputy first minister Martin McGuinness.
"This has been another remarkable week," he told the gathered crowds. "A united city celebrating together with the Clipper Race and looking forward to a brighter future. Look at all the visiting boats here. A great sight!"
Local skipper of Derry~Londonderry~Doire Sean McCarter is still coming to terms with the fact he clinched a win into his home port after a week of parties and celebration. He said:

"For the first few days the welcome party in Derry-Londonderry just didn't stop. It was lovely to see the whole family but whole city came out in numbers and it has been so nice. It's been really busy, which I knew it would be but I've had a little bit of time to catch up with friends and the family.

"Coming into Race 14 we broke the home port curse, for Race 15 we're looking to put the curse back in place and keep OneDLL out of the primary position."
The Derry~Londonderry~Doire team is just 5 points short of a podium place in the overall race standings. It will be doing everything it can to overtake OneDLL on points. Skipper Olly Cotterell, is already under pressure to win into their home port.
He commented: " This is out homeport race so we would love to that first yellow pennant which we have yet to achieve. We are going to sail our own race and see how it happens – we'll also be keeping a very close eye on Derry~Londonderry~Doire which is just five points behind us."
Meanwhile Dutch skipper Patrick Van Der Zijden aims to take Old Pulteney onto the podium in Den Helder after sailing around Scotland, home of 'The Maritime Malt'.
"We're going to have light winds which will be challenging, but we'll be working extra hard to arrive in Holland. We had a good boast from our last race and we'll be hoping to repeat our performance, and do it all again.
"At the moment we're seventh in the rankings two points behind Qingdao and the idea is to get ahead of them and be in the top half of the fleet in sixth place. So we will all be working hard to get there." said Patrick.
At the top of the leader board Henri Lloyd is 13.9 points clear of GREAT Britain on 130 points, But with 24 points still up for grabs it's not impossible for a late upset, especially with two short races.
Skipper of GREAT Britain, Simon Talbot, observed: "The pressure is on for the next race – we are a group of highly competitive a person who want to win and that is always our goal. We're realists; we know that this race is for Henri Lloyd to lose rather than for us to win. We could do everything right in the next two races and win both, but if Henri Lloyd do better than seventh they will still win."
The OneDLL Cup is going to be very hard to predict as the current forecast is for lighter airs which, combined with strong currents, could result in some upsets if teams get stuck in the wrong place at the wrong time.
The race started at Greencastle, County Donegal at 1545 BST following a breathtaking display from the world famous RAF Red Arrows aerobatics team.
Possibly inspired by the airborne antics the home team Derry~Londonderry~Doire got off to a flying start across the line first ahead of GREAT Britain and Qingdao in second and third respectively. As at 1600 BST (1500 UTC) the race tracker showed Derry~Londonderry~Doire in a narrow lead ahead of Team Garmin and Old Pulteney.
The OneDLL Cup has an estimated arrival into Den Helder from 3 July subject to prevailing weather conditions.

#clipperrace – The world-famous Red Arrows will take to the skies over the North West Coast of Ireland at the end of June with their display of daredevil aerial manoeuvres, to bring a spectacular close to the 2014 LegenDerry Maritime Festival.

Brought to the North West by a partnership between Donegal County Council, Limavady Borough Council and Derry City Council, the RAF Red Arrows will perform their thrilling flying display as the stunning send-off to the Clipper 2013-14 Round the World Yacht Race on Sunday 29th June 2014.

The distinctive red jets, which are this year celebrating their 50th display season, will execute their trademark formations, close-passes and dynamic loops and rolls at the mouth of the River Foyle between Greencastle in Co. Donegal and Magilligan/Binevenagh in Co. Londonderry.

Thousands of people are expected to descend upon the North West Coast to capture a clear vantage point of the Red Arrows' stunning performance and celebrate the official Race Start of the Clipper 2013-14 Race at Greencastle, Co. Donegal.

Mayor of Donegal County Council, Councillor Ian McGarvey said: "Along with my fellow Mayors from Derry City Council and Limavady Borough Council I am delighted to confirm the staging of this spectacular Red Arrows event. I am sure this will attract visitors from across the region and beyond to the Lough Foyle area. Their exciting air display will be an excellent way to see off the Clipper Race as the fleet prepares to sets sail off the coast of Greencastle. I hope that everyone who comes to Donegal has a safe and enjoyable time."

Mayor of Limavady, Councillor Gerry Mullan said: "I am delighted to welcome back the spectacular Clipper Race event and am looking forward to seeing the boats sailing into Lough Foyle past Magilligan Point. I wish all the crews a warm welcome to the area and hope they get the chance to explore all it has to offer when they come ashore."

Mayor of Derry City Council, Councillor Martin Reilly said: "It is a major coup to have the Red Arrows perform and their display will provide a suitably spectacular final flourish to our week-long LegenDerry Maritime Festival. We are delighted to have been able to facilitate this in partnership with our friends in Limavady and Donegal, who are bringing the world-famous Red Arrows here.

"Our stunning North West coastline will provide the perfect backdrop for the official Race Start of the Clipper 2013-14 Round the World Yacht Race. We are thrilled that thousands of local people will be able to share the celebrations and the spectacle on land, on the sea and now, also in the sky."

Derry~Londonderry is the penultimate stopover for the Clipper 2013-14 Race, the world's longest ocean race. After a gruelling journey of almost 40,000 miles, 11 month circumnavigation of the globe the City will welcome the 12-strong fleet of Clipper Race yachts back to the city, including its very own Derry~Londonderry-Doire yacht, with a weeklong LegenDerry Maritime Festival from 21st - 29th June 2014.

The LegenDerry Maritime Festival will transform the River Foyle's quayside into a summer promenade, with race village, award winning continental market, seafood festival, music extravaganza and a host of sea-faring activities on and off shore for families, sailors and land-lubbers alike.

#clipperrace – Preparations are well underway for the return of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race with one of the most exciting events planned for the year, a weeklong LegenDerry Maritime Festival from 21-29th June 2014.

The Foyle Quay is set to transform into a summer promenade, complete with race village, marine marquees, award winning continental market and host of sea faring activities on and off shore. With a lineup of outdoor concerts planned citywide to welcome the Clipper fleet, including our very own Derry-Londonderry-Doire yacht on its penultimate stopover in the world's longest ocean race.

Deputy Mayor Gary Middleton was with local businesses to deliver the programme which combined elements of the city's rich maritime heritage and creative musical talent, encouraged everyone to get onboard for the world class event.

"I am delighted to launch the festival programme to once again welcome the Clipper Race crews to a world class series of events, activities and opportunities. The Maritime Festival is an excellent chance for us to build upon the superb success of our 2013 UK City of Culture year and to deliver our Legacy promise for Music City 2014."

"As the Clipper Race yachts have journeyed around the world we have been busy promoting the city and region in international markets telling our new story. With our dedicated road show in which we are targeting the Diaspora, promoting trade, enterprise and investment links in the major stop over cities worldwide, and now look forward to continuing our partnership working to deliver not only an international festival but also delivery of a business opportunities programme, education and tourism campaign with a number of key stakeholders."

A rich musical offering, the festival launches with Music City Day on 21st June where from dawn to dusk the city will become a giant performance space for both professional and amateur artists. The Beach Boys will bring Summer to Ebrington Square and Europe's biggest dance music offering Celtronic showcases the best in electronic music. Incorporating the multi-cultural Ubuntu festival there will be a chance to bring people together to celebrate music of all cultures.

At the centre of the weeklong festival will be the welcome of the 12-strong fleet of Clipper Race yachts including Derry~Londonderry-Doire yacht which has once again been carrying the city's story on its travels worldwide, a journey that has been both magnificent and dramatic in equal measures.

Linda Williams, Head of Economic Development and Marketing at Derry City Council said due to the phenomenal success of the Clipper Homecoming Festival in 2012, the Maritime Festival 2014 will again provide the opportunity to raise the profile of the city as a destination for World Class events as well as providing local businesses the chance to benefit from a unique opportunity to link with other cities and stakeholders.

She said: "The transformation of the City over the last few years has been amazing and the continuation of investment in the City's One Plan sees the focus on the legacy of City of Culture year and past Clipper events."

"The Derry-Londonderry-Doire Clipper Yacht has been travelling around the world cementing the city's story to a global audience, both during and post City of Culture 2013. The world class event this summer is our chance to build on the confidence that 2013 has brought and positive world wide exposure, a chance to attract visitors and investment and to promote our vibrant and innovative city and for all in the city to realise benefits of this exposure and make 2014 successful and memorable for the city."

Alan Clarke, Northern Ireland Tourist Board, Chief Executive, said, "The city's reputation for hosting this event has certainly gathered momentum. It is a great opportunity to build on the legacy of activity through the ni2012 our time, our place campaign and Derry~Londonderry's mantle as the UK City of Culture in 2013. I believe it will not only help increase the international profile for the city but also support economic and tourism growth, continue with job creation, develop creative industries and create awareness of the city's maritime and cultural heritage. NITB is please to provide financial support for this event through its International Tourism Events Fund."
Clipper Race organizers are looking forward to bringing the event back to the city and showcasing their new fleet of twelve new identical 70-foot ocean racers. Jonathan Levy, Global Business and Communications Director for Clipper Ventures said: "We had an outstanding experience during our first visit in 2012 and are very excited to hear the news of the excellent programme for this summer's festivities and race village.

"The warmth of your welcome and hospitality is indeed legendary within the Clipper Race and the whole fleet is looking forward to its visit here in June. In a more tangible sense, I am confident we will again make a big economic impact on the region through our presence and the spending power of the crew, race partners, fans and visitors. Add to this the global media we reach and this will once again showcase Derry~Londonderry on an international stage."

Bill McCann, Foyle Port Harbour Master said: "The Port is delighted to be working in partnership with Derry City Council, Clipper Ventures and all the stakeholders involved in the LegenDerry Maritime Festival 2014. The return of the Clipper Race offers us the opportunity to utilise the £1.4m of infrastructure invested during 2012 and the chance to build on this legacy."
"Foyle Port now has over 800m of pontoon space to offer including new pontoon facilities at Meadow Bank and Fort George to accommodate the 100+ visiting boats expected over the duration of the weeklong event. Our marine team has already demonstrated our capacity to stage and manage all the marine and technical aspects of the Clipper Race arrival and start. We look forward once again to offering the marine and berthing support that the Clipper Race crews will rely on when they are here and to playing our part in facilitating what is sure to be an amazing event for the City and North West Region."
Whet your appetite aboard the LegenDerry Maritime Festival this June, whether you are a novice sailor, a lover of food or coming for the world class music, this event will enable families, visitors, and nautical enthusiasts enjoy a host of exciting and diverse maritime activities from visiting yachts and boats. Come meet the crews of the 70 Foot yachts as they dock on the Foyle and discover the fascinating stories of the city with a series of exhibitions and creative heritage areas along the way.

Start your summer in Derry-Londonderry Music City 2014 from Saturday 21st June until Sunday 29th June. You will find a city full of vibrancy and talent unlike any other, a city gearing up to provide a international welcome that promises to be Legenderry.

The LegenDerry Maritime Festival is being organised and lead by Derry City Council with support from NITB, Foyle Port, Ilex, Loughs Agency, DCC Legacy Fund, Diageo, Tourism Ireland, Donegal Co.Co and Limavady Borough Council.
For more information on the full programme of events or details on how to get involved, and special accommodation rates visit www.legenderrymaritimefestival.com. Keep up to date with the Clipper race on Facebook Derry-Londonderry-Doire Clipper.