31 Jul 2013
The Jamaica Tourist Board is pleased to announce it will be sponsoring an entry in the 2013-14 edition of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.
The yacht, which will be part of the new state-of-the-art fleet of ocean racers debuting in the latest edition of the Clipper Race, will showcase Jamaica as one of the most desirable visitor destinations on the planet. The Jamaica-branded yacht will deliver a global promotion during the 40,000-mile and 11 month ocean race, as it visits 15 ports on six continents.
This is the third time that Jamaica has fielded an entry. The founder and chairman of the Clipper Race, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston said, “We are extremely pleased to welcome back a Jamaican entry, in what is the largest ever edition of the Clipper Race.
“In both the 2007-08 and 2009-10 editions of the Clipper Race, Jamaica was one of the most popular locations amongst our crew. The race will provide the perfect platform for the Jamaica Tourist Board to continue to showcase Jamaica to an international audience.”
The Jamaican yacht entry will be crewed by amateurs under the watchful eye of one of the twelve exceptional skippers who were chosen after a rigorous selection process by organisers of the Clipper race. For the third time in the history of the race, the fleet will visit Errol Flynn Marina in Port Antonio, where they will receive a warm Jamaican welcome.
“This exciting project is a unique opportunity to showcase Jamaica to key tourism markets across the globe", commented John Lynch, Jamaica's Director of Tourism. "Destination Jamaica will once again be under the international spotlight, with our vibrant branding showcased all over the world. We are planning a creative programme of events and activity to mark the arrival of the Jamaica yacht into the race’s various ports-of-call.”
After setting sail from London’s Tower Bridge on 1 September 2013, the matched fleet of 12 yachts will race around the globe, before arriving in Port Antonio "The 15 ports of call on the race include cities where Jamaican athletes have secured record-breaking victories in the past or where they will be competing in the future. This adds to the excitement and anticipation when the Jamaica yacht sails into port" continued Mr Lynch.
William Tatham, Vice President of Cruise Shipping and Marina Operations for the Port Authority of Jamaica, said: “The arrival of these prestigious racing yachts into the Errol Flynn Marina is a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate the unique facilities of the port. Jamaica was named ‘Caribbean's Leading Cruise Destination’ at the 2012 World Travel Awards and we are looking forward to extending a warm Jamaican welcome.”
The Clipper 13-14 Race will set off from St Katharine Docks, London on Sunday, 1 September on a 40,000-mile journey around the globe, making it the world’s longest ocean race, stopping at 15 ports on six continents over 11 months. For more information, visit www.clipperroundtheworld.com.
For more information on Jamaica please visit www.VisitJamaica.com.
ENDS
McCluskey International, PR Office for Jamaica Tourist Board
Judy McCluskey / Sarah Salord
T: 020 8747 2170
Ruth Harrington, PR Officer for Clipper
UK mobile: +44 (0) 7792 408 695
T: +44 (0) 2392 526000
E: rharrington@clipper-ventures.com
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www.clipperroundtheworld.com/mediaportal
About the Jamaica Tourist Board
The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), founded in 1955, is Jamaica’s national tourism agency, based in the capital city of Kingston. JTB offices are located in Kingston, Montego Bay, Miami, Toronto and London. Representative offices are located in Düsseldorf, Barcelona, Rome, Amsterdam and Tokyo. Jamaica was named “Favourite Worldwide Destination” by the readers of British Travel Awards’ Check-In magazine at the publication’s new Readers’ Choice Awards 2012. Jamaica was also voted the 2010 World’s Leading Beach Destination (Montego Bay) by the World Travel Awards. For details on upcoming special events, attractions and accommodation in Jamaica visit the JTB website at www.visitjamaica.com, or call the JTB on 020 7225 9090.
About Clipper Ventures Plc
Clipper Ventures Plc was established in 1995 by legendary yachtsman Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first person to sail solo non-stop around the world in 1968-69. Sir Robin founded the company on the premise that sailing should be made available to everyone, regardless of age or experience. So he launched the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race in 1996. The company owns and operates its own matched fleet of ocean racing yachts and so far more than 3,000 people have competed in the eight editions of the Clipper Race to date. The company also owns the rights to the professional solo round the world VELUX 5 OCEANS race and runs a successful events division offering corporate sailing and development programmes. Today Clipper Ventures is recognised as a leading international marine events company which is focused on developing and promoting major global events such as the Clipper Race.
Clipper 13-14 Round the World Yacht Race
The Clipper 13-14 Round the World Yacht Race will start on Sunday 1 September from St Katharine Docks London, and return almost a year later after completing the 40,000 miles route, making it the world’s longest ocean race. The event was established by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston to give everyone, regardless of sailing experience, the opportunity to discover the exhilaration of ocean racing. 650 people representing more than 40 nations will compete in the Clipper 13-14 Race on twelve brand new 70-foot yachts designed by renowned naval architect Tony Castro. It’s the largest race ever. Crew members can sign up for the whole circumnavigation or one or more of eight legs. The only qualification for the race is the minimum age of 18 (there is no upper age limit) plus a thirst for adventure. The overall race is divided into individual stages and points are accumulated in a Formula 1-style scoring system. The yacht with the highest total points at the finish wins the Clipper Trophy.
Sir Robin Knox-Johnston
Its 45 years since Sir Robin Knox-Johnston set off on his record breaking solo and non-stop circumnavigation in 1968-69. Now, as Executive Chairman and founding Director of Clipper Ventures Plc, he is at the forefront of promoting round the world yacht racing. Sir Robin has been involved in sailing all his life and holds a Department of Transport Master's Certificate. He set the record for the fastest circumnavigation with Sir Peter Blake. In 2007; he completed his second solo circumnavigation when he competed in the VELUX 5 OCEANS race. Sir Robin has considerable experience of the administration of round the world races having served on the Whitbread Race committee from 1990 to 1994 and having organised the BOC Challenge Round the World Race in 1982 and 1986. He has been named RYA/YJA Yachtsman of the Year an unprecedented three times and participated in the 2010 Sydney-Hobart race at the age of 71.
