Fleet departs for final race leg in style with spectacular New York City parade

The Clipper Race fleet set sail for the highly anticipated final, homecoming leg of the 11 month, 40,000 mile, world’s longest ocean race today with a stunning parade of sail as crew bid a fond farewell to New York City.

Following the parade the teams are now motoring out of the Hudson River to clear the very busy New York Harbour area.

The 2,850 mile Race 14 (of 16) to Derry Londonderry is scheduled to get underway approximately 50 miles outside New York City, with a Le Mans start in the vicinity of Cholera Bank in position 40° 23N, 73° 36W.

Speaking just before leaving North Cove Marina, skipper of fourth place team Derry~Londonderry~Doire, Sean McCarter said: “We are hoping to be able to get a result in this race, it’s the last ocean crossing and our last chance to get a podium position on an ocean leg. We will pass through the Grand Banks and Flemish Cap from the Perfect Storm and we pass north of the position that the Titanic sank. There is a lot of history in this part of the ocean and a lot challenges.

“I can’t wait to sail down the Foyle at the end of the race. I grew up in Derry-Londonderry it’s my home town but I’ve only sailed down the Foyle five or six times which is spectacular to do anyway, with beautiful views and sailing under the new bridge. It’s a great place to sail in to but to do it as the skipper of the home team on the race is something I will remember for the rest of my life and I know the crew will too.”  

The Clipper Race fleet is expected to arrive in Derry-Londonderry from 21 June.

To read the skippers thoughts ahead of Race 14 start, click here

To keep up-to-date with the fleet’s positions click here