Winning yachts receive their Sydney Hobart pennants at prizegiving

Derry~Londonderry~Doire, GREAT Britain and Old Pulteney have been awarded their Rolex Sydney Hobart race winners pennants by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia for their Clipper 70 class win in the iconic Australian offshore race.

The teams were presented with their pennants at a special prizegiving hosted by the commodore of race organisers, the CYCA’s Howard Piggott, as well as Richard Batt, commodore of the Royal Tasmanian Yacht Club. They also received their Race 6 Clipper Race pennants.

Skipper of Derry~Londonderry~Doire, overall winner of the Clipper 70 class in the RSHYR, Sean McCarter, said: “There were some very difficult moments, but we stayed focused and it really paid off this time after a few close races where we missed out. My crew are brilliant and we are also really grateful for all the messages of support back home which has meant so much to us all.”

Speaking after the victory Mayor of Derry Londonderry, Cllr Martin Reilly said: “I would like to congratulate the crew on this victory, which is both a fitting end to a phenomenal year for the city, and also a fantastic start to what we hope will ultimately be the first of many achievements for the Clipper Crew.

“We know the challenge that has been undertaken by the crew is certainly formidable by any standards, so this early victory is a great boost to team morale. I would like to wish them well on the next stage of their race and to say that the entire city is following and supporting their fantastic journey. We can’t wait to welcome them back to Derry in June 2014 for a spectacular homecoming event during the Foyle International Maritime Festival.”

Skipper of second-placed GREAT Britain, Simon Talbot, said: “Morale was a bit low after what happened in Albany, so this result was exactly what we needed to bounce back.”

Patrick Patrick van der Zijden, skipper of Old Pulteney, in third, said: “The race was very challenging, normally things play out over a few days, but here things changed very quickly from no wind to 50 knots.

“We have learnt a lot during this race and will be carrying that forward.”

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston thanked the CYCA for welcoming the Clipper Race crews in Sydney and Hobart and for its organisation of the race. He added: “This is one of the greatest finishes and party atmospheres you will find. It was a hard race and the teams learnt a great deal. I hope they will be racing harder and much tighter and using the lessons they have learnt going forward.”

The updated race standings are here, with OneDLL the new fleet leader, one point ahead of second-placed Henri Lloyd and GREAT Britain in third with 50 points.