McCarter Counts Down to Clipper Race Derry Homecoming & Legenderry Festival

8th June 2014

#clipperroundtheworldrace – The Derry~Londonderry~Doire yacht, one of twelve 70ft yachts competing in the Clipper 2013-14 Round the World Yacht Race, has set sail for its home port from New York this weekend following a spectacular parade of sail against the iconic Lower Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty.

This is the final leg of the 11 month, 40,000-mile race, the world's longest, which is expected to arrive on the Foyle between 21-23 June to kick off a massive festival that will run until the fleet's departure on 29 June.

For local skipper Sean McCarter it's going to be a unique experience sailing into his home port: "New York has been amazing, I think everyone has had a very enjoyable stopover and is raring to go for the final homecoming leg into Derry-Londonderry.

"I grew up in Derry-Londonderry it's my home town. It's a great place to sail in to but to do it as the skipper of the home team, and preferably in first place, is something I will remember for the rest of my life and I know the crew will too."

"I have been trying to prepare the crew for the stopover, as everyone knows what an incredible welcome the city put on for the fleet during the Clipper 2011-12 Race. If what everyone tells me is true, it's going to be even bigger this time around – truly legenDerry!

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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.