Posted online: Aug 19th, 2010

Donegal looks set to benefit from the news that Derry is to become an official host port in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race in 2012.
On Tuesday it was confirmed that Derry, the UK’s City of Culture for 2013, will welcome the ten strong fleet with a showcase festival at the end of the final transatlantic stage of the 40,000-mile race en route to the race finish. “The fact that Derry is to get a stopover of the greatest ocean race for 2012 is another huge boost to all of the North West that the entire region can capitalise from,” Senator Cecilia Keaveney declared.
“Everything that gives a platform to showcase the area puts us on an international stage that Inishowen, Donegal, Derry and beyond can gain from.
“The fact that this is the first time for a stopover here means that it is a new potential. We all watched the focus that Galway got from the Volvo race. There is no doubt that the economic spin off has continued beyond the immediate time of the race in the West,” she continued.
The event will form an integral part of the campaign to market the city’s culture, business and education offerings in a number of the cities on the Clipper 2011-2012 route.
A Derry–Londonderry yacht will be one of ten identical 68-foot ocean racing yachts taking part, each of which is sponsored by a city, region or country to carry their name around the world.
On board the yacht will be a team of people from all walks of life, many of whom who have never sailed before, who are taking on the challenge of a lifetime.
More information can be found at www.clipperroundtheworld.com, by emailing oceanracer@clipperroundtheworld.com or phoning 00 44 2392 52 6000. The minimum age for crew is 18 and there is no upper age limit. No previous sailing experience is required as all crew go through a comprehensive pre-race training programme.