Singapore sign up

Another boat deal secured for Clipper Round the World Race

The Singapore Tourism Board and Clipper Ventures PLC have announced the signing of a sponsorship agreement that will see Singapore joining the competitive line-up of one of the world’s most prestigious international yachting events, the Clipper 05-06 Round the World Yacht Race.

Singapore is the first Asian city to join the ten-strong fleet which will set sail from Liverpool on 18 September 2005. The fleet will sail 35,000 miles between ten port cities, including Western Australia and Durban in South Africa concluding in July 2006 in Liverpool.

Mr Lim Neo Chian, Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Board, said: “Singapore is happy to be the first Asian country to take up the challenge of participating in the Clipper 05-06 Race. We are confident that this race will also profile Singapore to millions of race spectators and potential visitors around the world in a most memorable and unique manner.”

Singapore’s 68ft Uniquely Singapore yacht will be emblazoned with the destination brand’s logo and fly the Singapore flag. There also will be opportunities for Singaporeans to be a part of the crew and become tourism ambassadors on board Uniquely Singapore, bringing a taste of Singapore across five continents to the host port cities that it sails through.

With the newly introduced format of 'nation versus nation' for the Clipper 05-06 event, the crew on Uniquely Singapore will pit their skills against an international line-up of teams including Liverpool, Durban and Western Australia.

“Through our local crew members and our hosted festival villages along the seven-leg route, the rest of the world can get a taste of Singapore and will be able to appreciate the sophisticated blend of the best of the modern world and rich cultures that is Uniquely Singapore. We will bring a bit of our country, culture and people to every one of the ten host port cities,” Mr Lim added.

On the third stage of the race, in January 2006, the yachts will spend ten days in Singapore, one of only two Asian stopovers on the route. It will also be the first international race to berth at Sentosa Cove’s brand new marina, which will be ready just in time to receive them.

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Chairman of Clipper Ventures plc, said: “We are delighted to announce this partnership with Singapore, the undisputed tourism hub for South East Asia. It truly is a unique city that has tremendous synergy with the unique Clipper Race.”

Singapore’s involvement in Clipper 05-06 has been secured by the Singapore Tourism Board and Fast Track Sailing, the exclusive global commercial and media partner for the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.