Congratulations to everyone involved in securing the Clipper Round the World Race to Derry and the North West.Derry, the UK’s City of Culture 2013, announced today that it is to become part of the Clipper 2011-2012 Round the World Yacht Race with an official city boat in the race. In addition the city will be an official host port, welcoming the ten-strong fleet in July 2012 with a showcase festival at the end of the final transatlantic stage of the 40,000-mile race en route to the race finish.

It will be the first time that Northern Ireland has been represented in the race which attracts a global audience of more than 460 million people. Mayor Councillor Colum Eastwood, speaking at the launch, said, “We’ve partnered with Clipper as we believe it provides a world class opportunity to showcase the city internationally while supporting business, education and cultural links ahead of the UK City of Culture 2013. It’s an important building block in developing the city’s reputation as a location for international events and brings fully into the use the full urban quayside of the River Foyle. This is the catalyst project that will bring together public, private, education, sports and community interests to build a legacy for the maritime, tourism, business and cultural interests of the city.”

The potential for the 2011-2012 entry was developed by Derry City Council with the support of Londonderry Port and Ocean Event Management. It 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. The development of the tourism and international potential for the race and festival has been supported by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board.

Congratulations to everyone involved!