Race Starts in 30 Days!Yorkshire Welcomes the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race Sunday 13th September 2009
Ten internationally sponsored 68ft racing yachts will arrive in the Humber at the beginning of September for the start of one of the world's greatest races. Supported by a fantastic range of events and festivals the race will make Yorkshire and the Humber a hub of activity for tens of thousands of visitors.The Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race is the leading event of its type for non-professional sailors. It lasts ten months and covers 35,000 miles before returning to the Humber on 17th July 2010. Put that date in your diary now!The stunning fleet is due to arrive in the Humber on Friday 4th September for a week of final preparations before the grand send off. This is the first time that the race has started at an east coast port.Join in the celebrations over the weekend and wish the crews bon voyage.
Hull Freedom Festival Friday 11th - Sunday 13th September
The Freedom Festival promises to provide a wide variety of entertainment to give the crews and spectators an unforgettable and spectacular weekend, including a special fireworks display on Saturday night.The unique celebration of Freedom will see the city come to life with live performances of chart-topping music, international art installations, colourful dance displays and the awesome sight of a fleet of Clipper yachts beginning their round-the-world journey.This free three-day cultural extravaganza will consist of a range of music acts - including indie, pop and jazz stars - which will grace three main stages around the city centre over the weekend.
Start of the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race Sunday 13th September 2009
10am The Clipper crews say their final farewells to family and friends before joining their yachts to the background of each boat's theme tunes.
11:30am The Red Arrows salute the crews with an amazing displayThen the Band of the Royal Marines will play as the Hull & Humber yacht leaves Hull Marina - followed by a Parade of Sail on the water
1.55pm The race countdown begins!
2pm Cannon-fire sounds the official race start and the ten yachts will begin their marathon circumnavigation of the globe
Regional Development Agency, Yorkshire Forward, secured the Clipper Race start and finish for the region in addition to entering Hull & Humber into the Clipper 07-08 race, in which it came an impressive second. Hull & Humber will be flying the flag for the region as its Welcome to Yorkshire sail will be seen on news channels around the world, boosting the region's profile.Hull & Humber's 46-strong crew includes several representatives from the Yorkshire and Humber region. Della Parsons from Hull can't wait to get on board: "I'm so excited! I live in Hull and I'm immensely proud to be in the region and representing the region on the race, I think it's an amazing place."The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race was founded in 1996 by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first man to sail solo and non-stop around the world. So that others could follow in his footsteps he set up the Clipper Race enabling ordinary people to become ocean racers and achieve the pinnacle in ocean yacht racing.For a sneak preview, the stunning fleet of ten Clipper yachts can be seen in Grimsby Marina on 5th and 6th September following a race for the Pilgrim Cup from their base on the south coast to North East Lincolnshire.
Race start 13th September Hull MarinaRace finish 17th July 2010 Hull Marina
