Clipper race underway

Crews set sail from Liverpool on round-the-world epic

The ten Clipper racing yachts crossed the start line at midday on Sunday 18th September to compete in the Clipper 05-06 Round the World Yacht Race. The start gun was fired by double Olympic Gold Medallist, James Cracknell from the River Mersey in Liverpool, the European Capital of Culture 08.

The British rower has just paddled the English Channel on a surfboard, and is attempting to row the Atlantic, but the real life action man admits sailing round the world is a challenge too far. The world record rower said: "I've always had a fascination with the ocean and am racing across the Atlantic in the autumn in a rowing boat but I'm not sure I'd be ready to tackle the Southern Ocean just yet!

''I'm full of admiration for those who are taking part in the challenge - I'm sure it'll be a life changing experience and wish them all the very best of luck."

The start took place in the midst of a carnival staged on the banks of the River Mersey that included street theatre, music, an aerobatic display and a flotilla of more than 80 boats, attracting tens of thousands of guests.

The 10 identical Clipper 68ft yachts are designed by Ed Dubois and built by Double Happiness Yachts, Shanghai. Each yacht is sponsored by a different international city including Glasgow (Scotland), Cardiff (Wales), Durban (South Africa), Western Australia, Singapore, Victoria (Canada), Cardiff (Wales), New York (USA), Qingdao (China) and Jersey (Channel Islands).

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, founder of Clipper Ventures plc commented: “As the longest circumnavigation race in the sailing calendar at 35,000 miles, the teams face some tough challenges ahead.

“It’s a joy to see these great adventurers set off in such magnificent scenes. We wish them fair winds, the best of luck and a safe race around the world.”

The Clipper 05-06 race is divided into seven separate legs, following a challenging route around the globe. The yachts will visit all of the international sponsoring ports as well as Cascais in Portugal, Salvador in Brazil and Yokohama in Japan – before arriving home to Liverpool in July 2006.

You can follow the race here: http://www.clipper-ventures.co.uk/n05_06/homepage.php