Bon Voyage to the crew of the Derry-Londonderry yacht

29th July 2011

The Port and Harbour Commissioners are wishing "Bon Voyage" to the crew of the Derry~Londonderry yacht which this Sunday will leave Southampton to begin a 40,000 mile Round the World Race as part of Clipper 11-12.

"We know this is a huge challenge for them all," says Harbour Master Bill McCann, "but they have had superb training from the Clipper team and we are confident that they are up to the challenge."

Harbour Commissioner Roy Devine, who will join the race in New York for the final leg, says he is thinking particularly about the 10 crew members who are taking the entire round the world trip. "It is a huge undertaking and I really respect them for it. I also send best wishes to the whole crew and hope they race well and race safely."

The Derry~Londonderry yacht take 11 months to cross 15 seas and oceans before completing their arduous journey. The 8-leg race, which stops over at Derry in the final leg, is made up of 15 individual races, and boats score points mainly for how they perform in each of these races (10 points for first, 1 for last etc). The Clipper Trophy goes to the yacht with the highest total at the Finish Line in July 2012.

Find out more about the Derry Londonderry team at www.derrycity.gov.uk/clipper or follow the team on Facebook at Derry-Londonderry Clipper 11-12.

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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.