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Displaying items by tag: Justin Taylor

In recognition that the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race has grown in stature with each biennial race and that next year's 11-12 event is set to be the biggest yet, race organiser Clipper Ventures plc has appointed accomplished yachtsman and former engineer and construction manager, Justin Taylor, as the new Assistant Race Director.

Justin is no stranger to the Clipper Race, skippering Hong Kong in the 2002 edition and taking over on Hull & Humber in Clipper 09-10 after the team's skipper Piers Dudin broke his leg in the North Pacific. Justin has also spent a number of years working as a training skipper for Clipper. As Assistant Race Director Justin's responsibilities will be varied, his principal duties being the recruitment and mentoring of the race skippers, management of the race office and ensuring the safety and well being of the Clipper fleet and crews whilst at sea and in race stopovers.

Race Director, Jonathan Bailey, says, "Justin is a very accomplished yachtsman, instructor and ocean racer and has a long and successful history with Clipper Ventures making him an obvious choice for this new position. Justin will add even more experience and knowledge to the race management team in the build up and running of Clipper 11-12 and future races."

Justin is a qualified RYA Yachtmaster Ocean, RYA Yachtmaster Instructor and has more than 120,000 nautical miles under his belt. Circumnavigating the globe in Clipper 2002, Justin has also crossed the Atlantic several times and the North Pacific twice. More recently he was the winning skipper of the yacht Me To You in the inaugural 2006 Round Ireland Race.

Justin says, "I am very happy to be appointed Assistant Race Director and I am looking forward to taking up my new position. Having been a race skipper in 2002 and more recently in 2010 I feel I have much experience to bring to what will undoubtedly be a challenging but rewarding role. I am keen to be a part of the continuing success of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race and of course adding to this success."

Published in Clipper Race

RC35 Class

The concept of the RC35 Class is to bring together similar boats within a close handicap banding and to work with owners and crews to develop the best racing experience possible on the Clyde and the Irish Sea area. The Class is within a tight rating band (IRC 1.015-1.040) yacht racing will be in Scotland, Ireland and Wales.

Q: What is the RC35 ‘Rule’?
A: Qualifying yachts for the RC35 Class will sit within an IRC Banding of 1.015 to 1.040. In 2017 it is proposed that a tolerance of +/- 0.05pts will be permitted

Q: Are there any other criteria?
A: RC35 takes the most prevalent IRC racing boats on the Clyde and groups them within a fixed rating band. Qualifying boats will have an LOA 32ft—38ft and displacement of between 3,000kg—9,000kg. The rule also requires boats conform to ISAF Cat.4 be anti-fouled and not dry sailed. A limit of sail purchases (2 per year) also applies.

Q: What is the RC35 Championship?
A: The RC35 Championship will cover 8 events (6 to count) and include events such as Scottish Series, Dun Laoghaire/Bangor and an RC35 Championship weekend. Each year the Class will make a commitment to one ‘away’ regatta as part of the Championship.