Clipper 68 unveiled

Fleet of new Dubois fleet built in China shows herself in Liverpool

The first of Clipper Ventures' new Dubois-designed 68 footer was unveiled today to promote Liverpool as European Capital of Culture in 2008.

The yacht, sponsored by Liverpool City Council, has been built to compete in the 35,000 mile Clipper 05-06 Race, which sets sail from Liverpool on 18 September 2005.

Designed by Dubois Naval Architects, the new fleet of ten Clipper boats has been built by Shanghai Double Happiness Yachts in China, to be raced by international teams of 17 crew and a skipper.

Welcoming the launch of the first boat, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Chairman of Clipper Ventures plc, the company that has commissioned the ten-strong fleet, commented: “This is another significant step for Clipper Ventures and an important date in the Clipper 05-06 Race calendar. Liverpool ’08 is a credit to both the Dubois design team and the successful build team at Shanghai Double Happiness Yachts.

“Myself, the Clipper shore team and, most importantly, the crews that will race her around the World, are extremely excited about putting Liverpool ’08 through her paces on the water.”

The Liverpool ’08 yacht - the first of the Dubois 68s to be unveiled - was named and launched at the Royal Southampton Yacht Club. Councillor Mike Storey, CBE, Leader of Liverpool City Council, who said: “The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race will help develop international interest in Liverpool’s renaissance and cultural status. The Liverpool ’08 yacht will promote Capital of Culture to new audiences around the world. The Clipper race itself is also an integral part of an exciting sporting and cultural events programme which the city is developing in the run up to 2008."

To complete the naming ceremony, and in keeping with sailing tradition, The Lord Mayor of Liverpool Cllr Frank Roderick, Cllr Storey and Sir Robin then took the newly christened boat out on to the water.

The new yachts incorporate all the lessons and ideas learned in more than 1.2 million miles of racing during the four Clipper circumnavigations run to date. Fast and steady downwind, their taller masts and higher aspect ratio sail plan (compared to the previous boats) will make them very effective up wind giving an enhanced light weather performance.

The boats are built to the latest MCA construction and safety requirements.

The Clipper 05-06 race will be a major event linking the Capital of Culture themed years, Sea Liverpool in 2005 and Year of Performance in 2006.

Nine other world-class city entries will bring their business sponsors, international media and civic delegations to Liverpool for the start and finish of the Clipper 05-06 Race, affording unique networking opportunities and large numbers of high yield visitors.

Fremantle in Western Australia and the South African port city of Durban will also field competitive entries in the race, with sponsorship of the remaining seven yachts to be announced soon.

More photos of the new boat on page 2...