Australia Day marks first anniversary celebrations for Clipper Race in Sydney

The Clipper Race is celebrating its one year Antipodean anniversary in Sydney this Australia Day.

We opened our first base outside the UK in Sydney a year ago, and our team there has spent the past year building a busy race training and corporate events programme as crew from across the country prepare to set sail in the next race edition.

There are currently 49 Australian and New Zealand crew members signed up to take on the ‘Race of their Lives’ in the tenth edition 2015-16 race, which includes participation in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race as part of the Australian Leg from Albany, Western Australia to the Whitsundays via Sydney and Hobart.

Clipper Race Australia Managing Director Kirsty Whyte says: “It has been an exciting and busy year establishing ourselves in Sydney. We not only train Australians but also have many international crew who come here to experience sailing in such a beautiful part of the world.

“We have an amazing playground in which to train crew and a thriving sailing community to work alongside. The Clipper Race is such a unique and amazing opportunity for everyday people to achieve something remarkable. I am delighted to be involved with such a fantastic organisation.”

Australian crew members make up the second largest national contingent on the race. Creating a training base in Sydney means crew no longer have to travel to the UK for the majority of their pre-race training.

William Ward, Chief Executive Officer of Clipper Ventures, says: “We were responding to demand because of the growing number of Australians wanting to experience a unique adventure, and have been proved right. The success of the race in Asia Pacific is attracting more potential sponsors who want to benefit from a global marketing platform. This region is a key area of development for us.”

In addition, Clipper Race Australia runs corporate sailing events ranging from general hospitality to intensive teambuilding, personal development and leadership skills.

The Sydney base also offers the chance for Corinthian sailors to enter iconic race events such as the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2015.

CLIPPER VENTURES AUSTRALIA FACTS

49 Australians and New Zealanders signed up so far for the 2015-16 race.

Sydney-based fleet covers more than 10,000 nautical miles in 12 months training and racing

17 courses scheduled from February to June 2015

11 courses run so far

84 crew trained so far