London gearing up to welcome Clipper Race return

There may still be more than five months to go before the big finish of the Clipper 2013-14 Round the World Yacht Race but Mayor of London Boris Johnson is already looking forward to its return on 12 July as a high profile component of ‘another fabulous year for major events in the capital.’

The Mayor’s comments come on the eve of this weekend’s celebrations in London for the Chinese New Year, amongst the biggest outside China, which will form a spectacular curtain raiser for an exciting year for the city.

The return of the Clipper Race and Tour de France have been singled out as showpiece one-off events for the capital, being hosted in the city within a week of each other. The Mayor said that they: “Add to our great city's joie de vivre. They bring colour and energy, showcasing the dynamism and excitement of the capital to Londoners, as well as visitors coming to the city from around the world... London is an unbeatable place to be.”

The race fleet will be hosted again by St Katharine Docks, next to the iconic London landmark of Tower Bridge.

The Mayor acknowledges that major events like the Clipper Race showcase such venues as St Katharine Docks and underpin London's global reputation as a dynamic and attractive place, helping to bring in billions to the city's economy.

Happy Chinese New Year – Gong Xi Fa Cai