Jersey named

VIPs roll out for launch of Clipper round the world race boat

HM The Queen’s official representative in Jersey, His Excellency the Lieut-Governor, Air Chief Marshal Sir John Cheshire KBE CB will today officially launch the new 68ft ocean racer that will represent the Channel Island of Jersey in the Clipper 05-06 Round the World Yacht Race.

Accompanied by the Bailiff, Sir Philip Bailhache QC, Sir John will conduct Jersey Clipper’s official Naming Ceremony at 18:05 from St Helier Harbour and will also unveil the yacht’s spectacular new livery, following a highly popular competition in the Jersey Evening Post to design the new hull branding and house flag.

Designed by Dubois Naval Architects and built by Shanghai Double Happiness Yachts in China, the new Jersey Clipper yacht is one of a ten-strong fleet to be raced by international teams of 17 crew and a professional skipper in the 35,000 mile Clipper 05-06 Race, which sets sail from Liverpool (UK) on 18, September 2005.

The fleet of ten identical Dubois 68s will provide their crews with the fastest round the world ocean race in the non-professional field. Jersey’s entry will be skippered by Mark Taylor (41) from Stoke Flemming in Devon, who joins the Jersey Clipper campaign from a strong financial background and who also brings a wealth of yachting experience and leadership skills to the team.

The Island’s third participation in the Clipper Race was secured by the Jersey Clipper Committee, chaired by Pierre Horsfall, CBE, and has been made possible through sponsorship by the Jersey branch of Swiss merchant bank UBS and property development and construction company Dandara Jersey Ltd.

The Naming Ceremony marks the start of the celebrations for the 60th anniversary of the Island's liberation from the occupying German forces, culminating in a Royal Visit on Liberation Day, Monday 9 May, by HM The Queen and Prince Philip.

The proceedings will commence with footage of the Jersey Clipper’s victory on the last race and will be followed by interviews with key people involved in the campaign - such as the Jersey Clipper Committee, crew members past and present, and the campaign sponsors UBS and Dandara.

After the Naming Ceremony, a rowing boat will also be set on its way by the Bailiff from Jersey Clipper; a re-enactment of a wartime escape from the Island. A flotilla of island vessels and warships will be in the Harbour as well as the Jersey tug with her water cannons.

Welcoming the launch of the Jersey Clipper, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Chairman of Clipper Ventures plc, the AIM-listed company that has commissioned the ten-strong fleet, commented: “ Jersey Clipper 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 Jersey Clipper through her paces on the water. Today’s naming ceremony marks the official start of the new Jersey Clipper race campaign
and we wish her every success in the Island’s bid to retain its race title.”