Clipper Round the World Race 11-12

On Sunday 31 July the Round the world Clipper Race 2011-2012 set off from the Royal Yacht Squadrons (Cowes) start line and will be calling in at 14 harbours on their way round the world.  This event was conceived in 1995, with the first race held 1996-1997 with this year's race being the eighth to be held.

 

The race was founded by Sir Robin Know-Johnson CBE RD*, patron of the MVS, who wondered what the sailing equivalent of climbing Mount Everest would be whilst on an adventure with Chris Bonnington circa 1994.  The Clipper Venture round the world race mission is “it gives paying amateur crew members the chance to sail around the world”.

 

Three of the Portsmouth City of Portsmouth unit members took ARKWRIGHT, at the requested of Clipper Ventures Group, to Southampton where members of BBC Radio Solent were embarked, including popularly presenter Neil Sackley.

 

Chris Davenport (HoU Portsmouth) reported; “Sunday went extremely well for us at the Clipper Round the World Race.  We were tasked to carry 2 journalists from BBC Radio Solent, a Dutch reporter and Paul Rogers (who competed in the last race - see left) anywhere they wanted on the day. Our timings were perfect, as in being where requested and at the right time. We embarked the journalists at 14.00hrs from Ocean Village and then proceeded out into Southampton Water following the 10 yachts, their safety escorts and HMS Illustrious, along with about every other thing that floats for miles around! The water was very choppy but we managed to keep close to the yachts all the way to the start line just off Cowes. The start at 16.30hrs came and they were of like scalded greyhounds - next stop for the yachts is Madeira!”

 

After that it was back to Ocean Village to disembark our passengers and then another 2 hours motor back to G moorings in Portsmouth.

 

The crew of ARKWRIGHT were Chris Davenport, Tony Ashenden and Glenn Bramble-Stewart (MVS National Communications Manager). Thanks must be given to all for crewing and hope that the MVS profile has again be positively raised.  A letter of thanks was received the following Monday from James Davies the Chief Safety Marshal for Clipper Ventures who mentions that our services may be required on the yachts return in 2012.

 

Benefits for the MVS?

 

CLIPPER are donating a sum to the MVS and BBC Radio Solent have requested an interview on Radio Solent in the future about the MVS (time and date will be promulgated nearer the time).

 

Interesting Websites:

For the aerial footage of the event, please see here: http://www.youtube.com/user/ClipperRTW

 

For race start 'official' pictures, please see here: http://www.clipperroundtheworld.com/index.php/follow/photo-galleries/

 

To follow the yachts as they race around the world, you can view the official race tracker here: http://www.clipperroundtheworld.com/index.php/follow/race-viewer/