Clipper take New York

The Big Apple comes on board for the 2005-6 Clipper Round the World Race

New York City Sports Commissioner Kenneth J. Podziba today announced that New York City will be a host of the Clipper 05-06 Round the World Yacht Race during their port visit in May 2006. There will also be a yacht named after the city in the race. The international sporting event will begin on 18 September, 2005, in Liverpool (UK) and return after 10 months of intense competition on the high seas. Some 200 international sailors competing in the world’s longest race will visit New York in late May 2006 as part of the final leg of their 35,000-mile competition.

“The City of New York is proud to welcome the Clipper 05-06 Round the World Yacht Race,” said Commissioner Podziba. “We are thankful to Clipper Ventures for selecting New York as the city to represent the United States in the world's longest yacht race. The Clipper 05-06 Race unites countries through the sport of sailing and we are honoured to participate in the race and welcome these ambassadors as they sail to and from our city.”

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Chairman of Clipper Ventures Plc and the first person to sail solo non-stop around the world, strongly endorsed the announcement and commented: "The New York City entry will face strong competition from a formidable international field including race title defenders Jersey (Channel Islands), as well as Liverpool (UK), Durban (South Africa), Fremantle (Western Australia), Singapore, Glasgow (Scotland), Victoria BC (Canada) and Qingdao (China).

“New York City's harbour offers a world-class stopover venue for the Clipper event, with first-rate hosting facilities at Liberty Landing Marina, and with one of the most recognisable backdrops on earth.

"New York City is the business capital of the world and to provide New York Clipper with a fighting chance, we invite corporate sponsors to use this unique opportunity to billboard their business around the globe. Prominent signage on the dynamic 68ft racing yacht and a host of media, marketing and promotional opportunities will be available in the United States, the UK, and around the globe.

"The event has a tremendous synergy with New York, as the race competitors have many of the qualities central to the spirit and endeavour of 'The World's Favourite City.' We wish the New York City Clipper team every success as their magnificent yacht lines-up against her international rivals,” added Knox-Johnston.

Clipper 05-06, the fifth running of the company’s flagship event, will be divided into seven individual crew legs as the ten identically-matched yachts contend for the coveted ‘Clipper Cup.’ The New York Clipper will be skippered by Jonathan Bailey, (38) from Leeds in the United Kingdom, and there are selected berths available for New York’s budding sailors interested in racing on various legs of the race.

The fleet’s return to Liberty Landing Marina, having visited the city on the past two editions of the biennial event, will be a popular decision amongst the amateur crews. The nine-day stopover provides a chance to savour the sensational ambience of Manhattan having just raced to the United States from the Caribbean.