Clipper Ventures Plc, the AIM listed marine events company chaired by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, has today announced a £200,000 host port deal for its flagship event.
Clipper 2002, the world’s longest circumnavigation race, is set to start from Albert Dock, Liverpool, on Sunday 27th October 2002, returning in September 2003 after some 35,000 miles of intense competition on the high seas.
Traditionally starting on the UK’s south coast, this is the first time in the event’s six-year history that the prestigious race will be hosted by Liverpool, the North West’s nautical capital.
For the first time, international cities are invited to have an entry in this challenging global contest and competitive teams from Liverpool, Bristol, Glasgow and Cape Town have each accepted the eleven-month challenge. Worldwide discussions are underway to see who will complete the eight-strong line-up, with further announcements planned within the month.
A story of improving fortunes saw Liverpool Clipper achieve a creditable fourth place overall in The Times Clipper 2000 race, however the new Liverpool Clipper team will be especially keen to clinch victory against the formidable international field expected in Clipper 2002.
Commenting on the choice of Liverpool as host port, Councillor Mike Storey, Leader of Liverpool City Council, said: ‘We are delighted to be hosting the start and finish of Clipper 2002. This is a world class sporting event and a major coup for Liverpool and the North West.’
The city council is now looking for sponsors to ensure world class celebrations for the race start and finish. The city is also seeking sponsors for three places on the Liverpool Clipper.
Councillor Storey added: ‘By being the host port we have a fantastic opportunity to showcase the city on a truly global stage and I call on local businesses to join us and make this an event to remember. The fact that the Liverpool Clipper is also racing means we have further opportunities to promote the city and the region as Clipper 2002 visits some of the world’s major commercial centres, especially in New York and our twin city of Shanghai.
‘We are very pleased to support Clipper 2002 with the obvious benefits such a prestigious event will bring to the city’s growing tourism industry and our bid for the European Capital of Culture in 2008. I’m thrilled that we are also able to offer three places aboard Liverpool Clipper for a once in a lifetime experience. This is a fantastic opportunity for local youngsters to ride the ocean waves and follow in the footsteps of their forbears,’ he said.
Organised by Clipper Ventures Plc, Clipper 2002 is a biennial 16-stage race, featuring eight identical 60-foot racing yachts, crewed by paying amateurs in a series that takes a course around the centre of the globe. Clipper 2002 will take a predominately downwind route following the trade winds and passing through some of the classic yacht racing territories, stopping at cities in Europe and Asia, as well as North and South America.
It is set to pass through a wide variety of weather systems which require the full range of sailing skills, from patience to steer through calms, flying downwind under spinnaker before a trade wind, to beating through the Southern Ocean around the Cape of Good Hope.
‘This is excellent news both for Liverpool and Clipper Ventures,’ said Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Chairman of Clipper Ventures Plc and the first man to sail solo non-stop around the world.
‘The city’s participation in Clipper 2002, coupled with today’s host port announcement, means that we have a significant deal worth in excess of £500,000 and we look forward to working with Liverpool City Council to secure the necessary corporate sponsors for Liverpool Clipper.’
Clipper Ventures Plc, with the assistance of Liverpool City Council, are seeking 10 major corporate sponsors who wish to use this unique opportunity to billboard their business.
A £25,000 sponsorship package buys prominent signage on the Liverpool Clipper, a dynamic 60ft racing yacht, and offers a host of media, marketing and promotional opportunities in the UK and overseas, as well as providing considerable networking opportunities and prestigious Corporate Hospitality events in the varied international stopover ports.
Training races for the Clipper 2002 are scheduled from 11th – 30th September, one of which will start from Liverpool, and the fleet of eight yachts will gather at Albert Dock, Liverpool’s truly stunning architectural triumph, from 17th October 2002 for pre-start preparations. Redevelopment,costing in excess of £100 million, has transformed Albert Dock, opened in 1846, into one of Liverpool’s busiest and most cosmopolitan centres.
In fact, Albert Dock, situated on Liverpool’s famous waterfront adjacent to the Pier Head, is now the largest group of Grade 1 listed buildings in the UK and has collected many prestigious national and international awards.
Within easy reach of 5 million people and with extensive rail, bus and road links – as well as convenient air and boat connections via Liverpool and Manchester Airports, the Mersey Ferry and Seacat, Albert Dock – Liverpool is set to attract record numbers of race supporters to the start and finish of Clipper 2002.
Sir Robin added: ‘Our fleet and crews generate strong interest wherever they go. But starting Clipper 2002 from Liverpool for the first time is an exciting venture for which we, as Race Organisers, hold great enthusiasm and confidence. Relocating the race start to the North West affords us the opportunity to bring ocean racing to a whole new audience.
‘Liverpool’s close involvement with this internationally renowned nautical event is in-keeping with its rich maritime history and we wish the Liverpool Clipper crew every success setting sail from their home port this autumn.’
Clipper Ventures’ choice of Liverpool to host the Clipper 2002 race represents the first time that a crewed round the world yacht race will start away from the South or Southwest of England.
Commenting on today’s announcement, internationally famous round the world yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur said, ‘Great news to hear that Liverpool will host the start of a round the world race this year – when I was fanatical about the sea as a kid from Derbyshire, it would have been great to have some events like this closer to home. Sailing is a sport for everyone, it is not as elitist as it is often portrayed, and I am sure this event will help to show that.’
The search is now on for a yachtsman to skipper the Liverpool Clipper yacht. Applicants, male or female, must have an RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate with a current commercial endorsement, as well as plenty of hands-on experience as a Skipper, preferably with some racing experience.
The ideal candidate will also possess excellent interpersonal skills and be able to demonstrate a high level of seamanship and safety, as well as endless energy, drive, determination and commitment. With over 60% of competitor berths already taken, crew applications are also welcomed from Liverpool’s budding amateur sailors, men or women from every walk of life and age, to compete on individual legs or to face the challenge of the whole circumnavigation. Successful crew applicants, with or without sailing experience, will undergo extensive training programmes to prepare for the challenges of racing a 60-foot ocean going yacht.
Clipper 2002 Race Route:
Outward
1st Leg Liverpool/Portugal*/Cuba* 5,300 miles
2nd Leg Cuba*/Panama/Galapagos/Hawaii 6,100 miles
3rd Leg Hawaii/Japan/Shanghai/Hong Kong 6,000 miles
Inward
4th Leg Hong Kong/Philippines/Singapore/Mauritius 5,400 miles
5th Leg Mauritius/Cape Town/Brazil 5,800 miles
6th Leg Brazil/USA/European Port*/Liverpool 7,100 miles
* To be confirmed
For further information please contact:
Clipper Ventures on
T: 023 8023 7088
W: www.clipper-ventures.com