Sydney Next Stop for Clipper Yacht Derry

Sydney Next Stop for Clipper Yacht Derry–Londonderry

3rd December 2013

#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."

Published in Clipper Race

Tagged under

Clipper Round The World Yacht Race

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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.