The Clipper Fleet In Port Until July 24th To Signal Start Of Foyle Marine Festival

19th July 2022

WM Nixon

The ultimate moving target - the current Clipper Fleet have got ahead of themselves (and everybody else) by crossing the Atlantic to Ireland quicker than expected

While the Robin Knox-Johnston-led Clipper Fleet Round the World Race organisation is a remarkably effective body, even its most experienced executives can only give a ball-park figure as to when the leading boats are going to complete a transoceanic leg.

As already reported in Afloat.ie, the most recent stage from Bermuda to Derry/Londonderry saw the winning Bermuda boat (and other front runners) get in rather earlier than expected, as the nine-day Foyle Maritime Festival - which doesn't officially start until tomorrow, Wednesday, July 20th - was still in process of assembly.

Racing to Derry - had driving aboard WTC Logistic during the Transatlantic leg from Bermuda

In the middle of all that, on July 24th, the Clipper fleet will take their departure for the final leg to London in their pandemic-interrupted 2020-2021 World-Girdling Race. The complex Clipper
operation is now on such a scale that it has become a sort of parallel sailing universe, best glimpsed through their own high-powered communications system

The Clipper Fleet will be in Foyle Marina in Derry/Londonderry until July 24th

Published in Clipper Race, Maritime Festivals

Published in Clipper Race

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About The Author

WM Nixon

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William M Nixon has been writing about sailing in Ireland for many years in print and online, and his work has appeared internationally in magazines and books. His own experience ranges from club sailing to international offshore events, and he has cruised extensively under sail, often in his own boats which have ranged in size from an 11ft dinghy to a 35ft cruiser-racer. He has also been involved in the administration of several sailing organisations.

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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.