Six weeks to go: the Derry~Londonderry countdown is on!

It’s just six weeks to go until the Clipper Race fleet returns to Derry~Londonderry for one of the most anticipated stopovers of the race. A firm favourite for the Clipper Race crew, supporters and alumni, the Derry~Londonderry stopover is set to provide a ‘LegenDerry’ welcome for the Clipper Race fleet as they sail into the city. On this homecoming leg of the race, the fleet will sail some 3000 nautical miles across the North Atlantic from New York, arriving into the Northern Irish city between 14-18 July, signalling the start of the famous Foyle Maritime Festival, of which the Clipper Race fleet is the centrepiece.

Image: The Clipper Race fleet in Derry~Londonderry

It's now ten years since the love affair between the Clipper Race and Derry~Londonderry began. Who knew in 2012, that ten years on this epic feat of endurance would continue to capture the imagination and draw tens of thousands of visitors to the city for a fifth consecutive time? The fleet always receives an incredible welcome and 2022 is expected to exceed all expectations after a four-year wait, as well as a number of crew from Ireland and Northern Ireland participating in this stage of the race. To add to the excitement, today the programme for the Foyle Maritime Festival was officially revealed by the newly installed Mayor of Derry, Councillor Sandra Duffy.

Laura Ayres, Head of Partnerships & Events at the Clipper Race said: “The countdown to Derry~Londonderry is on, and we can’t wait to see the Clipper Race fleet sail into the city and take their place as the centrepiece of the Foyle Maritime Festival. It has been ten years since we partnered with the city, and it’s brilliant to see how much the city and its festival has grown, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors for a jam-packed programme of events. We are sure that this year’s stopover will be bigger than ever, and the Clipper Race teams, staff and supporters are certainly looking forward to that famous Derry-Londonderry welcome this July, on the homecoming leg of the race.”

Shauna O’Neill, a Derry~Londonderry local who sailed in the Clipper 2011-12 Race, will be joining in the festivities with her all-female race team Lilies on the Lough. Talking about the stopover she said: “I will be in the city for the full week of festivities, and I am so excited for the fleet to arrive. Especially after the lockdown, I think the city will go all out for the festival! It was an honour being part of the first stopover in Derry~Londonderry, and I felt so proud of the effort that the locals went to welcome the fleet.”

Image: Clipper Race fleet performs a Parade of Sail in 2018

Gerard Doherty, a crew member hailing from Derry~Londonderry currently racing on this edition will be sailing into his home town. He said: “Derry is a very special place, and its greatest asset is the city’s amazing people. The welcome the Clipper Race fleet will receive will be outstanding and unlike any other stop, and I will be so proud to sail up the mighty Foyle and into my home city.”

Image: Gerard Doherty

The festival itself is set to get off to a very special start on the evening of Wednesday 20 July with the sailing event’s prizegiving taking place in the heart of the festival village, Dopey's Den, for the first time. In addition to the race accolades awarded by the Clipper Race, Mayor Sandra Duffy will be presenting a crew member from each race team with a special 'Spirit of a Derry Girl' Award.

The five-day Foyle Maritime Festival offers a myriad of events for families, sailing fans and foodies alike, as the riverfront is transformed once again into a vibrant and buzzing international marina. The festival will feature a jam-packed programme of interactive experiences, markets, ‘LegenDerry’ food and live performances. Plus, visitors and locals will be able to get a flavour of what life on board a Clipper 70 is like on an exclusive motor tour from Foyle Marina, or take a look around the boats and meet some of the Race Crew during a Public Open Boat session. People inspired by the race can also visit the Clipper Race dome, open throughout the stopover, to find out more about taking part, hear stories from previous crew, take part in interactive workshops and even sign up for the race of their lives.

Image: The Foyle Maritime Festival, 2016 by Martin McKeown

The festivities will reach a spectacular pinnacle at the Festival Showcase Event on Friday evening, July 22, with a magical evening of music, dance and theatre culminating in the enchanting Parade of Light on the River Foyle. The parade will be set against the backdrop of a stunning pyrotechnic display, featuring the Clipper Race fleet. Finally, the yachts will depart the city on 24 July, performing a Parade of Sail before embarking on the final race of the 2019-20 edition to London’s Royal Docks for a huge race finale.

Head of Culture with Council, Aeidin McCarter concludes: "Over the years the Foyle Maritime Festival has become one of the City’s most anticipated events and our partnership with the Clipper Race playing a pivotal role in drawing an international audience for the event. The arrival of the Clipper Race fleet generates much excitement and really adds to the atmosphere along the quayside where the yachts are central to much of the maritime activity.

“We're expecting record visitor numbers this year after such a long and difficult break, and people won't be disappointed when they see the programme which really does have something for everyone. It will be fantastic to see our quayside buzzing once again."

Find out more about the Foyle Maritime Festival and view the full programme of events at www.foylemaritime.com/