The OneDLL Cup gets underway tomorrow

After a spectacular stop in Derry-Londonderry, Northern Ireland the 12-strong fleet is now preparing to compete in Race 15, the OneDLL Cup - the 800 mile race to Den Helder the Netherlands which starts tomorrow.

The fleet will slip lines from Foyle Marina at 1100 BST (Sunday 29 June) where they will perform a spectacular Parade of sail in front of the Peace Bridge, before motoring to Greencastle, County Donegal. There the crowds will be entertained by the RAF Red Arrows at 1446-1510 BST before the race start at 1545 BST.

Race Director, Justin Taylor explains the route the fleet will take during, which is anticipated to last four days: “From Derry-Londonderry the fleet will head north and around the top of the British Isles before heading into the North Sea and setting a south east course towards the finish at Den Helder on the northern coastline of the Netherlands.

“This race should be heavily influenced by the depressions that come across the Atlantic much further north during the summer months. However, it is looking like the first part of the race will be characterised by light winds from the north.  Tactically the best use of the tides could prove the difference between winning and losing.” 

Race 15, the OneDLL Cup is sponsored by De Lage Landen, sponsors of team OneDLL, which is currently in third place on the overall leaderboard as it prepares to race home to its home port of Den Helder.

Jan Kusters, Executive Board member De Lage Landen explained the impact sponsoring a team has made to the company, “DLL is currently, for the second time, participating in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.  Our yacht OneDLL symbolizes DLL being ‘one’ team united behind a common mission: to enable businesses to use the assets they need to make a meaningful contribution to the world.

“We aim to add value by truly seeing what counts in the markets of our partners. And we want to work with them to effectively capitalize on the opportunities that are out there...in the spirit of collaboration. That’s why we put people at the heart of all of our partnerships. Just as our DLL sailing team is the heart of ‘One DLL’. Therefore we are proud to sail the ‘OneDLL Cup’ during the race from Derry-Londonderry to our homeport of Den Helder.”

The public is encouraged to arrive in Derry-Londonderry for 1000 BST Sunday 29 June to avoid the congestion on the roads and any disappointment as the fleet departs for the Race 15 start. The fleet is expected to arrive in Den Helder from Thursday 3 July.