90 days and counting to Derry-Londonderry

Hailed as one of the most popular stopovers in the Clipper 2011-12 Race, the fleet will make a spectacular return to Derry-Londonderry this June where the Grammy award winning Beach Boys will perform as the 90 day countdown to the Northern Ireland stopover starts today. 

Tackling one of the largest and most treacherous oceans in the Clipper Race route didn’t prevent the Northern Irish entry launching the 90 day countdown today as the fleet makes its way across the Pacific Ocean to San Francisco. 

Skipper Sean McCarter, who grew up in County Donegal and learnt to sail on the River Foyle, added: “Today we mark 90 days until we arrive in Derry-Londonderry. As soon as I found out I was going to skipper the Northern Irish entry, people couldn’t wait to tell me about the amazing stopover Derry-Londonderry hosted in the Clipper 2011-12 Race.

“We’ve all heard the stories and seen the pictures from the last race, but we just can’t arrive in the city and see all our friends, family and Clipper Race enthusiasts and experience the incredible stopover for ourselves.”

With plans already well underway including a week long Maritime Festival with free events for all the family to enjoy the Mayor, Councillor Martin Reilly said:

“Preparations are well underway to welcome the 12 strong Clipper Race yachts including our very own Derry~Londonderry~Doire entry to the city. We are delighted to get the chance to welcome the Clipper Race back again to the city due to the phenomenal success of the Clipper 2011-12 Race stopover,  both in terms of economic impact and feedback from the city.  Of course this year we have again incorporated a programme of events for a week long Foyle Maritime Festival to coincide with the stopover this June 2014. The countdown is on!”

The Clipper Race fleet will arrive in Derry-Londonderry between 21-23 June after tackling the 2,850 mile Race 14 from New York to the Northern Irish city.