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03/09/2013
L'Derry Crew Begin World Yacht Race
The Derry-Londonderry-Doire entry in the world's longest ocean yacht race has been waved off from the banks of the Thames in London by a crowd of over 120,000 well-wishers.
The event signalled the start of the Clipper 2013-14 Round the World Yacht Race, during which the L'Derry team will sail 40,000 miles as part of a 12-strong fleet of ocean racing yachts.
Skipper of Derry-Londonderry-Doire Sean McCarter said: "There is a really good feeling on board as we do our final preparations and prepare to say goodbye to dry land for the next 11 months.
"We are very happy with our boat and can't wait to get out there and start testing ourselves as well as the yacht."
The yacht is sponsored by the city and will take on the eight legs of the race over 11 months.
The armada was joined by a paddleship steamer, pilot boats, police boats, RIBs, spectator boats and other pleasure craft as Britain waved off the 270 crew sailing from London to Rio de Janeiro on Leg 1.
The event marks the first time London has hosted the Clipper Race.
The fleet will not be returning until July 2014 after a total of 670 crew race 40,000 miles and visit 16 ports on six continents.
The race will officially start offshore at Southend, England, on Monday at 09.30.
The first leg of the Clipper Race ends in Marina da Gloria, Rio de Janeiro, the destination for the 2016 Olympic sailing events.
The yachts will then continue via South Africa, Western Australia, Sydney, Brisbane, Singapore, China, San Francisco, Panama, Jamaica, New York, L'Derry and the Netherlands, before returning to London’s St Katharine Docks for Race Finish in July 2014.
British yachtsman and Clipper Race Founder and Chairman, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston said: "It is wonderful to see these gutsy people set off on one of the greatest adventures left on the planet.
"Departing from the iconic Tower Bridge, in the British capital London, is something really special for the crews and skippers who have been building up to this moment for months.
"To see them return to London as accomplished circumnavigators in 11 months time will be a special moment."
(IT/JP)
The event signalled the start of the Clipper 2013-14 Round the World Yacht Race, during which the L'Derry team will sail 40,000 miles as part of a 12-strong fleet of ocean racing yachts.
Skipper of Derry-Londonderry-Doire Sean McCarter said: "There is a really good feeling on board as we do our final preparations and prepare to say goodbye to dry land for the next 11 months.
"We are very happy with our boat and can't wait to get out there and start testing ourselves as well as the yacht."
The yacht is sponsored by the city and will take on the eight legs of the race over 11 months.
The armada was joined by a paddleship steamer, pilot boats, police boats, RIBs, spectator boats and other pleasure craft as Britain waved off the 270 crew sailing from London to Rio de Janeiro on Leg 1.
The event marks the first time London has hosted the Clipper Race.
The fleet will not be returning until July 2014 after a total of 670 crew race 40,000 miles and visit 16 ports on six continents.
The race will officially start offshore at Southend, England, on Monday at 09.30.
The first leg of the Clipper Race ends in Marina da Gloria, Rio de Janeiro, the destination for the 2016 Olympic sailing events.
The yachts will then continue via South Africa, Western Australia, Sydney, Brisbane, Singapore, China, San Francisco, Panama, Jamaica, New York, L'Derry and the Netherlands, before returning to London’s St Katharine Docks for Race Finish in July 2014.
British yachtsman and Clipper Race Founder and Chairman, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston said: "It is wonderful to see these gutsy people set off on one of the greatest adventures left on the planet.
"Departing from the iconic Tower Bridge, in the British capital London, is something really special for the crews and skippers who have been building up to this moment for months.
"To see them return to London as accomplished circumnavigators in 11 months time will be a special moment."
(IT/JP)
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