06/08/2013

L'Derry In Round-The-World Race

L'Derry is to take part in two round-the-world yacht races in 2013-14 and 2015-16.

The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race will see a L'Derry City Yacht compete, while the city will also welcome the fleet as part of a biennial maritime festival planned for July 2014 and July 2016.

The event is the world’s longest ocean race at 40,000 miles and visits 15 ports on six continents.

L'Derry participated for the first time in the 2011-12 edition of the Clipper Race and hosted the Clipper Homecoming Festival in July 2012.

The festival attracted over 120,000 spectators over the 10-day celebration.

The announcement was made today by the Mayor Cllr Martin Reilly on behalf of Derry City Council.

"I am delighted that Derry City Council has continued to work in partnership with Clipper Ventures to have a Derry~Londonderry yacht in the 2013-14 and 2015-16 edition of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race and be a host stopover city in July 2014 and 2016.

"Our participation in the Clipper 11-12 Race and the Clipper Homecoming Festival in July 2012 was a phenomenal experience for everyone and was the stepping stone to the city’s UK City of Culture 2013 celebrations. The Clipper Festival successfully reinvented our riverfront, brought investment to our maritime offering and changed the way we use and look at the River Foyle. It successfully showcased the city and achieved a PR value of £104m in media coverage as well as generating almost 8,000 bed nights and achieving 98% positive comments in relation to civic pride.

"This further commitment with Clipper Ventures will form an integral part of the city’s international campaign to market the city’s business, tourism and cultural offering as well as forming a key element of the legacy of City of Culture and help us further develop the city’s international profile."

The founder and chairman of the Clipper Race, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston visited the city today to make the announcement.

He said: "I am extremely pleased to be here today to welcome back Derry-Londonderry to the next two editions of the Clipper Race. This will enable the City to capitalise on its many achievements during the last Clipper Race, which will continue to provide an international platform for Derry-Londonderry to promote and build upon trade and tourism around the world. With our brand new fleet of 12 matched 70 foot ocean racing yachts the 2013-14 edition of the Clipper Race will be the largest we have ever produced."

(IT/CD)

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