Edinburgh Inspiring Capital has set sail on the Clipper
09-10 Round the World Yacht Race. The vessel is one of ten
identical, stripped down 68-foot racing yachts competing in the
event, each of which will be sponsored by an international city,
region or country.
Teams competing against Edinburgh Inspiring Capital this year
include Uniquely Singapore, Qingdao and Hull & Humber, all of
whom will be making return appearances having recognised that the
Clipper Race provides a unique platform for delivering global
market exposure. Joining the race for the first time will be
California, whose participation has been endorsed by Governor
Arnold Schwarzenegger following the Clipper fleet’s inaugural visit
to the state in the last edition of the biennial race. Cape Breton
Island and Cork are also making their debuts, again following
successful stopovers in Nova Scotia and Cork during the last
edition of the Race.
The 2009-10 race began from the Humber on the north east
coast of England on 13 September 2009 circumnavigating the globe
before returning on 17 July 2010.
Current race position
The entry of Edinburgh Inspiring Capital in the Clipper 09-10
Race has been made possible through a partnership of Scottish
businesses coming together to sponsor the yacht. Together with the
Destination Edinburgh Marketing Alliance they are now finalising
plans to promote the Edinburgh Inspiring Capital brand around the
world, showcasing the Scottish capital as an exciting and vibrant
city in which to visit, invest, live, work and study.
Norman Springford, Chair of Destination Edinburgh Marketing
Alliance, said, “The Edinburgh Inspiring Capital yacht will provide
us with a mobile billboard targeting a potential worldwide audience
in excess of 200 million people. With destinations along the route,
including China, Australia and the USA, we have the opportunity to
promote the presence and pulse of Edinburgh as the shop window for
Scotland.”
Ron Hewitt, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce,
said, “This is a unique business opportunity which is very welcome
in this difficult economic climate. Thinking out of the box and
looking at alternative promotional opportunities will allow
Edinburgh to keep ahead of the game. Working with partners who have
trade links in the destination markets, we can maximise inward
investment opportunities. Briefings will be held in due course for
Edinburgh and Scottish businesses wishing to capitalise on
Edinburgh Inspiring Capital’s entry in the Clipper Race.”
Councillor Tom Buchanan, Economic Development Committee
Convenor, City of Edinburgh Council, said, “I am delighted that we
have been given this opportunity to promote both Edinburgh and
Scotland around the world, and am enormously grateful to all the
organisations that have made this possible.
“We are always looking for fresh, innovative ways of marketing
Edinburgh internationally. Clipper provides a sustained 12-month
programme which would be difficult to emulate. I look forward to
welcoming the Edinburgh Inspiring Capital yacht into the Port of
Leith in August before she sets off on her voyage around the
world.”
In addition to the economic development opportunities the event
will offer Edinburgh and the supporting Scottish firms, the Clipper
Race has a unique human interest aspect. The crew of each of the
ten competing yachts come from all walks of life and include
students, builders, housewives, management consultants, estate
agents, doctors, software engineers and chief executives. All of
whom will be demonstrating their inspirational qualities in their
challenge of a lifetime, racing across the world’s oceans.
One of those who will be racing onboard Edinburgh Inspiring
Capital is Julia Taylor, 33, who runs her own Edinburgh-based
business. She will join the boat in Qingdao, China, for the last
three legs of the race.
She says, "For years I have watched with envy people who have
taken part in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race and I’m so
excited to be taking part myself in the Clipper 09-10 Race. To know
that I will also be a member of the Edinburgh crew that will
represent the Scottish capital around the world is a dream come
true. I know all of the crew are delighted to be racing on
Edinburgh and we can’t wait to be on the start line in the Humber
this September to compete and win the race for Scotland."
Julia is one of 12 Scottish crew members among the 44-strong
team. They will be led by professional skipper,
Matt Pike. Teams in previous Clipper Races have helped
galvanise the community spirit in their sponsoring city or region,
generating a huge sense of ownership and pride in their
achievement.
The Clipper Race was set up by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the
first man to sail solo, non-stop around the world, in order to give
ordinary people the chance to do something truly extraordinary.
More people have climbed Mount Everest than have raced around the
world under sail.
“I am thrilled that Edinburgh has decided to field an
entry in Clipper 09-10 and I hope the whole city will get behind
the team and support them in the race. Not just the crew onboard
who will be racing hard, but also those onshore who will be working
equally as hard to attract new business investment and visitors to
Scotland’s capital city.
“We have a strong Edinburgh and Scotland contingent among the
crew and I know they will be excellent and inspirational
ambassadors for you.”
Berths for the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race have
sold out but anyone who would like to sign up for Clipper 11-12 can
now register to receive an application form as soon as the
race route is announced later this summer. For more details, visit
http://www.clipperroundtheworld.com/
or email oceanracer@clipperroundtheworld.com.
