Derry–Londonderry–Doire Arrives in Qingdao

10th March 2014

#clipper – Derry~Londondery~Doire arrived in Qingdao, China, this morning (local time) to a hero's welcome following one of the most challenging legs of the 2013-14 edition of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.

"It is amazing to finally arrive here in Olympic Sailing Center in Qingdao, China. It has been a really tough race in many ways. In lots of ways we were luckier than some of the fleet who are still yet to arrive," added skipper Sean McCarter.

After arriving under the impressive skyline of Qingdao, the Northern Irish entry was welcomed by colourful fireworks, as the team celebrated finishing the 2,450 mile race from Singapore to China's 'Sailing City'.

Although the team was third to arrive into Qingdao, Race 9.1 is being run on an elapsed time basis following staggered start times out of Hong Kong, so the finishing order will not necessarily reflect the fastest times, which will be the basis for awarding points.

On arrival the team was greeted by a specular ceremony including hundreds of drummers and dozens of Chinese and international media who all fought to get pictures and interviews with the crew from Derry~Londonderry~Doire.

On stage the skipper and the crew met with local dignitaries before they were awarded with scarfs and mementos. Skipper Sean McCarter was presented with a red cape that symbolises nobility; in ancient China it was only worn when emperors and generals returned victorious from battle fields.

"To arrive here today in Qingdao China is a fantastic feeling. To finish Race 9.1, one of the toughest races in the entire Clipper Round the World Yacht Race in one piece with the crew in good form is just a massive relief. It also looks like we have made a good time, but GREAT Britain has also done incredibly well. We have our eyes firmly on OneDLL who are looking very promising right now, but only time will tell," added Sean.

So far GREAT Britain has the shortest elapsed time of the first three arrivals at 7 days 00 hours 35 minutes 41 seconds , but both Derry~Londonderry~Doire and Mission Performance are proud of their teams who achieved elapsed times of 7 days 7 hours 57 minutes 59 seconds and 7 days 13 hours 14 minutes 0 seconds respectively.

Race 10 from Qingdao China, to San Francisco starts Sunday, 16 March.

Published in Clipper Race

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Clipper Round The World 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.