Scottish skipper Daniel Smith to lead Derry~Londonderry~Doire team

At the official Derry~Londonderry~Doire yacht naming ceremony today, attended by the Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Elisha McCallion, Sir Robin revealed Daniel Smith, the 31 year old Scotsman from West Kilbride, North Ayrshire, will lead the Northern Irish team.

Speaking about his appointment for the first time, Daniel said: “I’m really excited to be named the Derry~Londonderry~Doire skipper. There are strong sailing links between Scotland and Northern Ireland and that is a relationship we hope to share with our international crew as we sail around the world.

“I know there is always an incredible welcome waiting in Derry-Londonderry for the Clipper Race fleet so I’m already looking forward to sailing up the River Foyle in front of the home crowd.”

There are 22 Irish crew members on board the Derry~Londonderry~Doire team, including eight people from the city itself. The rest of the team is made up of people from all over the UK, Canada and Singapore.

Also in attendance at the yacht naming ceremony were the four winners of the council’s ‘Your Next Chapter’ bursary scheme. Jilly St John, David Pollock, Keelin O’Kane and Conor Shortland start their race training tonight and will each sail a leg of the Clipper 2015-16 Race aboard Derry~Londonderry~Doire.

Speaking about the adventure that lies ahead, Sir Robin said “As the bursary winners begin their four weeks of race training, they will be tested like never before but the confidence and skills they will glean from the experience will stand by them for the rest of their lives and provide them with unforgettable memories.”

Sir Robin added: “It is a pleasure to have Councillor McCallion, the Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District here for the naming ceremony of Derry~Londonderry~Doire and for Jilly, Keelin, David and Conor to be able to share the occasion with their race skipper Daniel.”

Derry-Londonderry will be a host port for the third consecutive time and will welcome the whole Clipper Race fleet after its final Atlantic Ocean crossing next summer. Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Cllr Elisha McCallion said she was happy to be part of the naming ceremony and to meet the skipper that will be leading the Derry~Londonderry~Doire team. She said: “The city and district is hugely excited to be participating in the Clipper 2015-16 Race and to welcoming the race back to the city next summer.

“The Legenderry Maritime Festival was a significant celebration for us, it captivated our entire city and left a lasting legacy. We are very pleased to have skipper Daniel Smith on our team and delighted that he will be involved in the training of our four local bursary scheme winners.”

Watch Daniel giving the Mayor a tour of Derry~Londonderry~Doire here.

If you would like to join us on the Clipper 2015-16 Race there are a limited number of places still available. For more information please contact our Crew Recruitment Manager Della Parsons [email protected] or call the team on +44 (0)2392 526 000.