#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.

#clipper – A London man was rescued from the Pacific Ocean in the early hours of this morning after falling overboard during the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. Derry~Londonderry~Doire crew member, Andrew Taylor (46) from London went over the side at 00.43 BST last night in rough weather and was sighted again at 01.55 BST before being recovered at approx. 02.13 BST this morning (13.13 local time, 30 March).

The incident happened in rough weather with 35 knots of wind and clear visibility, during a sail change in daylight on day 14 of Race 10 in the 16 stage Clipper Race which is currently heading for San Francisco, USA from Qingdao, China.

The yacht's professional Skipper Sean McCarter (32) from Derry Londonderry reported that he was working with Andrew on a sail change near the bow when he went over the side. Sean immediately went back to the helm, stopped the yacht and initiated the MOB (man overboard) procedure.

Race Director Justin Taylor explained: "In these conditions a man overboard is swept away from the boat very quickly and visual contact can be lost in the swell. We have a well-rehearsed procedure to mark the position, stop racing and engaged the engine to search for and recover the crew member as quickly as possible.

"An hour and a half is a very long time to be in the water in these conditions but a combination of his sea survival training and seven months at sea as well as wearing a life jacket and dry suit will have contributed enormously to his survival."

Nearly 4,000 people have taken part in the event which includes an extensive pre-race training programme and the organisers are fully committed to safety and maintaining their excellent record.

"The sea can be a harsh environment and we rehearse every eventuality including a man overboard (MOB)," stated Clipper Race founder and chairman Sir Robin Knox-Johnston. "The MOB procedures were put into practice flawlessly by the crew in difficult conditions. It is a tribute to their training and determination that Andrew was successfully recovered. It is always a concern when we have a major incident and we will want to analyse the circumstances in detail to see if there is anything we need to learn or review as a result."

Following his recovery, Andrew was taken below decks for treatment by the on board medic, crew member Susie Redhouse (42) also from London, who is a paramedic clinical tutor. She reports he is suffering from shock and may have hypothermia. His condition is being monitored closely, but he appears to be in relatively good spirits and is talking with fellow crew members.

A competing team in the fleet of twelve identical 70-foot ocean racing yachts OneDLL responded to the mayday call and diverted course to render assistance as the closest yacht to Derry~Londonderry~Doire. Falmouth and US Coast Guard services were contacted and have now been stood down. Both boats have resumed racing.

This is only the fourth ever incident in the Clipper Race's eighteen year history that someone has had to be recovered from the water. In both previous incidents, the crew members were recovered within minutes.

Sea safety is a fundamental practice of the Clipper Race. Before joining their boats all crew members must complete an extensive, four stage sailing and sea safety training course, including sea survival. This includes highly detailed instruction and practice of man overboard (MOB) procedure. All yachts are equipped with special MOB dummies and regularly rehearse search and recovery practice throughout the race.

The Pacific leg, between China and the US, is the tenth of sixteen stages which comprise the world's longest ocean race at more than 40,000 miles. The fleet is just over the half way stage of the 5,600 mile race to San Francisco. The first boats are expected to finish under the iconic Golden Gate Bridge on 11 April. The Clipper 2013-14 Race left London on 1 September 2013 and will arrive in Derry Londonderry approx 21 - 23 June before returning back to St Katharine Docks next to Tower Bridge, London on Saturday 12 July 2014.

#rshyr – Ireland's boat in the Clipper Round-the-World Challenge, the 70ft Castro-designed Derry-Londonderry-Doire, is on target to win her 12-boat class in the Sydney-Hobart Race today writes WM Nixon.

Skippered by Sean McCarter of Lough Swilly Yacht Club, and with Garda Siochana member Conor O'Byrne as a Watch Leader, DLDD had been consolidating a lead which she established around the mid-point of the 628 mile offshore classic, and is now (10.30 hrs our time) racing through the Tasmanian night over the final 35 miles to the finish.

But McCarter and his crew are under no illusions that this last inshore leg across Storm Bay and up the Derwent Estuary to the finish off the Hobart waterfront can see hard-earned leads wiped out in a couple of hours. Even with a margin of 12 miles over the next boat, the going is tricky, for they know that until three hours ago they'd manage to stretch it out to nearly 14 miles.

The boats still at sea in this annual offshore classic had a bit of a pasting during the past 24 hours with winds up to gale force. Of the nine retirals, one was the much-fancied 55ft Wedgetail aboard which Adrienne Cahalan was sailing as navigator. Wedgetail was dismasted, but until then she'd been challenging another boat of Irish interest, Matt Allen's new Carkeek 60 Ichi Ban helmed by Gordon Maguire.

Although Ichi Ban was first to finish in Division 1, her handicap lead in that class was soon taken by one of the German entries, the Ker 51 Varuna (Jens Kellinghusen), and then she slipped to third as the remarkably low-rated Swan 82 Nikita (Tom Brewer) came up the Derwent in stately style to push Ichi Ban back to third in class, a position she'll probably retain.

Overall, boats around the 50ft mark fitted this challenging race's changing demands very neatly, and it looks as though the oveall winner will be the Cookson 50 Victoire. Owned by Sydney plastic surgeon Darryl Hodgkinson, this boat was formerly Chris Bull's Jazz. If her expected Hobart race success holds good, it will add yet further lustre to a brilliant and enduring design which already lists the overall win in the Fastnet and the RORC Caribbean 600 in her CV, plus of course the recent comprehensive victory by Adrian Lee's Cookson 50 Lee Overlay Partners in the Dubai-Muscat Race.

Of the larger boats which attracted so much attention before the race, the neck-and-neck finish between Karl Kwok's new 80ft Beau Geste and the two Volvo 70s, Giacomo (ex-Groupama) and Black Jack (ex-Telefonica) would have been even more exciting had it not happened in the dark, when one nav light is much the same as another.

Black Jack tacked across one minute and 11 seconds ahead of Beau Geste, which in turn was one minute and six seconds ahead of Giacomo. But thanks to her slightly lower rating on handicap, Giacomo (Jim Delegat, New Zealand) corrected ahead of the other two in Div 0, getting third place just ahead of line honours winner Wild Oats XI.

The First 40 Breakthrough being skippered by Barry Hurley of the Royal Irish YC has had her moments of glory, and at one stage in mid-race she was shown as third overall. Currently she still has 98 miles to sail, which puts her in 7th place in Division 3.

#clipper – The northern Irish entry competing in the Clipper 2013-14 Round the World Yacht Race has started the 2150 mile fifth stage to Sydney from Albany, Western Australia. Race 5 is the fleet's second dip into the Southern Ocean which will provide a final shakedown for the amateur crews before the 12-strong fleet debuts in the classic Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race –Race 6 of the 16 Race series.

Following a Parade of Sail in King George Sound, Derry~Londonderry~Doire was second over the line after Great Britain with the Chinese entry Qingdao in third.

Sean McCarter, skipper of Derry~Londonderry~Doire said ahead of race start. "After such a dramatic finish in the last race, we are pretty pumped ahead of Race 5. It will be nice to do a shorter race as this sprint to Sydney will only be 10 or 11 days.

"We hope we can carry on learning from the last race and stay consistent the whole way through. There will be some tactical differences in this race as it is about going fast right from the go and keeping up the pressure without burning ourselves out or risking any damage to equipment ahead of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Race."

#clipperroundtheworldrace – Derry Lononderry skippered by Sean McCarter is leading the Clipper Round the World Race in the first major Ocean crossing of the 2013/14 race. Although not considered a compulsory gate for the race, the first three yachts through will be awarded valuable points, 3, 2 and 1 respectively. With no change at the top of the leader board overnight, these extra points could make a big difference to those challenging the leaders Derry~Londonderry~Doire.

Gareth Glover, skipper of Qingdao currently in fifth place who also skippered in the 2011-12 edition of the race, understands all too well how important it is to make the right decision at this crucial point in the race.

"We are now around 600 miles from the Scoring Gate, so we are still deciding whether to head that way or take a different route to cross the ITCZ (Intertropical Convergence Zone, the Doldrums) and head south. 600 miles sound like a long way, but to make up the lost miles to the lead yachts we would have to sail a lot faster, and that's easy said than done."

You can keep an eye on the fleets progress by checking the Official Race Viewer here. To catch up with all of our skippers, you can read the daily skipper reports here

#Clipper - A Fastnet Race veteran hopes to secure enough votes from the public to earn a place in a leg of the next Clipper Round The World Yacht Race.

Patrick Madden is applying for the Asia Pacific Challenge, the fifth leg of the global race from December 2013 to February 2014, via Gore-Tex Experiencer Tour's Clipper Ventures.

"This is quite simply the best opportunity to achieve my wildest dreams," he says. "I did the Fastnet Race in 2011 - a long held dream of mine ever since I sat in a caravan near Crookhaven being blown about in a storm force gale back in August 1979. My brother was doing the that race. I have never seen my father look so frightened in his whole life.

"Now I have nothing but the greatest respect for the sea," he adds. "And I can think of no greater honour than doing a race like this one. It is the true test of a person, no one can do a race like this and not be changed by it. This is my wildest dream and I would truly love to win a place onboard."

You can show your support for Patrick by visiting his profile page and clicking the 'Vote Now!' button.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, a serving member of An Garda Siochána has also launched a bit to compete in the next Clipper race.

Conor O'Byrne, who describes himself as "a keen sailor" with a "burning desire of sailing around the world", has started a blog to record his preparations for and participation in the race.

#Clipper - A serving member of An Garda Síochána has launched his bid to compete in the next edition of the Clipper Round-The-World Yacht Race.

Conor O'Byrne, who describes himself as "a keen sailor" with a "burning desire of sailing around the world", has started a blog to record his preparations for and participation in the race, the first leg of which kicks off from England this coming August.

The garda hopes to use his place in the epic voyage to raise awareness for the Irish Underwater Search and Recovery Unit, but also has more personal reasons in mind for the challenge.

"My reason for undertaking the race and being such a long time away from home and sailing in some of the world's most punishing seas was to hopefully build on my character and to learn more about myself and other people in the most extreme conditions.

"I like to be pushed beyond my comfort zone as I enjoy a challenge."

Follow Conor's preparations for the year-long race - which takes a route via South America, South Africa, Australia, China, the USA, Panama, Canada and Northern Ireland - at his Garda Around The World blog HERE.

#CLIPPER COVERAGE - To mark the stopover in Londonderry of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, BBC 1 Northern Ireland will present an hour-long programme tomorrow evening at 7pm.

The show presented by Claire McCollum and Gavin Andrews, will bring viewers a flavour of the north-west city where celebrations are expected to attract thousands of families and sightseers.

The homecoming celebration is one of the biggest events to be held in preparation for Derry-Londonderry's year as UK City of Culture in 2013, as the city welcomes the racing yachts to the Foyle including a very special boat bearing the city's name.

Yorkshire is set to take on the world with the announcement today that it is to compete in the Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race as the only English entry in the ten-strong field for the 40,000-mile global contest which is 'raced by people like you'. The world's longest yacht race will start from Southampton, on the south coast of England, on 31 July 2011.

Boasting striking pink livery, the Welcome to Yorkshire yacht is sure to attract attention as she spearheads a global marketing mission to raise the profile of the county.

This will be the third consecutive edition of the Clipper Race, now in its 15th year, in which the county has been represented and the project will build on the impact of its predecessor, Hull & Humber, which raced in Clipper 07-08 and Clipper 09-10, hosting successful business to business, tourism and cultural events in many of the ports of call.

Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said, "Yorkshire is a world class destination and deserves to be seen on a global stage. The Clipper Race is the perfect event to showcase Yorkshire in key global markets. This is the third edition running that Yorkshire has had representation in the Clipper Race; we are building on the success of those endeavours and hope to make this race our most successful to date."

Media coverage for Hull & Humber's participation has been valued at more than US$17 million, while evaluation by Yorkshire Forward, the Regional Development Agency, showed the impact of previous campaigns helped raise the regional profile, aid inward investment, change local perceptions and increase tourism and educational opportunities.

Founder and chairman of the Clipper Race, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, said, "I am very happy to say, Welcome to Yorkshire' for Clipper 11-12. This is the third race in which the county has been represented and it has always been a strong contender, both in the race and in ports of call where Welcome to Yorkshire has already shown itself to be an organisation that comes up with inspiring and effective ways to promote tourism and giving a warm Yorkshire welcome around the world."

The Clipper Race was established by Sir Robin, the first man to sail solo and non-stop around the world, in order to give ordinary people the chance to do something truly extraordinary. Approximately 40 per cent of the crew have never sailed before embarking on their rigorous pre-race training and those taking part come from all walks of life, representing more than 230 professions and 40 nationalities. Among those in the Welcome to Yorkshire team are 14 natives and residents of the county.

Each of the ten teams is led by an elite skipper and taking charge of Welcome to Yorkshire will be Englishman, Rupert Dean. Rupert is no stranger to the Clipper Race having skippered a team twice before in Clipper 98 and Clipper 2000. But, having come in as a relief skipper at short notice he has unfinished business and is looking forward to running a race campaign from start to finish – and he's out for victory.

"I have every intention of winning Clipper 11-12," says Rupert, 39. "Everyone knows the importance of preparing oneself, the yacht and her crew before the start line, so to manage a complete campaign from start to finish, with everything that entails, is an opportunity I relish."

Rupert and some of his crew joined Welcome to Yorkshire representatives for the announcement in the historic town of Whitby, home to one of the world's greatest explorers, Captain James Cook.

Speaking on board a replica of Cook's boat, the Bark Endeavour, Rupert said, "I am very proud to be leading the Welcome to Yorkshire team in our biggest endeavour to date. We will do our very best as ambassadors for the county."

The 40,000 mile circumnavigation is contested by ten identical stripped down 68-foot racing yachts, each sponsored by a city, region, country or company. Joining Welcome to Yorkshire for Clipper 11-12 are the Keppel Corporation sponsored Singapore and, representing China's Olympic sailing city, Qingdao, both entering the race for the fourth time. Returning for a second time is Visit Finland, backed by the Finnish Tourist Board and Scottish entry Edinburgh Inspiring Capital. And making their debut in the race are Derry-Londonderry, celebrating their status as UK City of Culture 2013, and De Lage Landen, the global provider of asset-based financing programmes, which will race under the Dutch flag. For the first time there will be two Australian entries vying to keep the Clipper Trophy down under: Geraldton Western Australia and Gold Coast Australia. The name of the final yacht is due to be announced next week.

The start of the Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race from Southampton is just one month away. Celebrations to mark the start of the 40,000-mile race around the globe will take place all weekend in Ocean Village, beginning with the arrival of the ten 68-foot yachts on the afternoon of Thursday 28 July and culminating in their departure and parade of sail in Southampton Water on Sunday 31 July.

Tens of thousands of people are expected to visit Southampton over the weekend for the colourful, atmospheric and emotional spectacle. As well as the ten yachts, each named after a city, region or country around the world, the event will include live music, stalls and entertainment and the line up on the main stage will be announced in the coming weeks.

There will be a raft of free, family-friendly entertainment in the race village while the yachts and their crews, 'people like you' drawn from all walks of life and representing more than 40 nationalities, make their final preparations before they say goodbye to their loved ones and set sail on the 12-month challenge – the sailing equivalent of climbing Mount Everest.

For the large south coast sailing community the event offers the chance to be a part of the first round the world yacht race to start from the iconic sailing grounds of the Solent since 2004.

The Clipper Race organisers are keen to make the event one that everyone can be a part of and Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, founder and Chairman of the Clipper Race and the first man to sail solo and non-stop around the world, says, "I am personally very keen to ensure as many local boat owners, crew and general boating enthusiasts as possible have the opportunity to enjoy this event."

Many are expected to turn out to join the small boat flotilla escorting the race yachts as they pass in formation down Southampton Water and cross the historic Royal Yacht Squadron line at the start of their epic journey around the world.

To register their intention to take part in the flotilla or to get involved in an official capacity on the water, boat owners can email [email protected].

Those who don't have access to their own vessel can still get up close to the action on one of the larger spectator boats including those operated by Red Funnel. Full details of spectator boats and how to book places can be found on the official race website, www.clipperroundtheworld.com.

On Sunday 31 July the teams will take to the stage from noon for the departure ceremony, which will be followed by a fleet blessing before the yachts begin to slip their moorings and head out of Ocean Village at 1.30pm.

The parade of sail will begin at 2.30pm just off Mayflower Park and the ten yachts, battle colours flying, will sail in formation down Southampton Water towards the start line.

The race itself will start at 4.30pm from the Royal Yacht Squadron start line in Cowes and the yachts will head out of the Solent eastwards towards the forts.

Southampton City Council and MDL Marinas, owner of Ocean Village Marina where the yachts will be berthed, are working in partnership to host the Clipper 11-12 race start, the eighth edition of the event established by Sir Robin to give people from all walks of life the opportunity to take part in the life-changing experience of ocean racing.

As the official host port for the race start Southampton can expect a significant economic return from the tens of thousands of visitors expected to visit the city over the four days the fleet will be in Southampton, generating millions of pounds worth of revenue into the local economy.

Local businesses will also be briefed on international trade opportunities alongside the race and benefit from networking events with the international sponsors and business partners visiting Southampton for the start of Clipper 11-12.

Latest details about the race start events for the public will be posted on the Clipper Race official web site, www.clipperroundtheworld.com.

The Qingdao naming ceremony at St Catherine's Dock in London.
The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is the only global competition where people from all walks of life can step out of their comfort zones and sign up to race 40,000 miles around the world. They come from backgrounds as varied as marketing executives, nurses, bankers, carpenters, IT specialists, engineers and chief executives who represent more than 40 nationalities. Almost half of them have never sailed before embarking on their training for the worldÕs longest ocean race.