THE Clipper Round the World Race fleet can expect a LegenDerry welcome from tens of thousands of well-wishers when they sail up the banks of the Foyle during the Foyle Maritime Festival, organised by Derry City and Strabane District Council from July 9th-17th.
The twelve crews of the world’s longest ocean race will receive an equally memorable reception when they step onto dry land, after being paired up with hospitality venues in the city as part of the Council’s ‘Adopt a Boat’ initiative.
Welcoming the scheme, which will see local hotels, restaurants and bars hosting themed events for each of the Race teams, the Mayor, Councillor Elisha McCallion, said it was a great working partnership which would bring mutual benefits for the crews and local businesses.
Cllr. McCallion said: “We are all very excited about Derry being the focal point for the Homecoming leg of the Clipper Round the Word Race again this summer after the spectacular success of our previous Maritime Festivals in 2012 and 2014.
“I am delighted that the results of the lottery draw for ‘Adopt a Boat’ have been officially announced and the twelve local Team Hosts can prepare for the fantastic reception that awaits each of the crews when the fleet arrives in the city around July 10th.”
Danielle McNally, Business Officer with Derry City and Strabane District Council, said the ‘Adopt A Boat’ scheme was a prime opportunity to showcase the selected local venues to a global audience.
“It’s about giving the Clipper Race teams an amazing experience while being hosted in the city in July, and the opportunity to potentially drive additional footfall to the venues during the week-long event.”
Many of the race crews also receive visits from family and friends at the various stopover ports during the race which takes in sixteen cities across six continents.
The Team Hosts are as follows: – City Hotel (ClipperTelemed+); RoCo (Da Nang-Viet Nam); The Everglades Hotel (Derry); Da Vinci’s (Garmin): The Blackbird (Great Britain); The Bentley (IchorCoal); Bishop’s Gate Hotel (Lmax Exchange); Pyke ‘N’ Pommes (Mission Performance); The Sandwich Co (PSP Logistics); Browns in Town (Quingdao); Walled City Brewery (Unicef); and Granny Annie’s (Visit Seattle).
The Clipper Round the World Race enables individuals to experience the adventure of a lifetime, even if they have never stepped on a boat before.
The twelve 70-foot yachts make up the world’s largest matched fleet of ocean racing yachts and the crews will race into some of the most iconic ports around the globe before finishing at St Katharine Dock in London on July 30th.
For further information and business opportunities, visit www.foylemaritimefestival.com
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