Henri Lloyd: 50 years of Pioneering Spirit
by Amy Grealish, Henri Lloyd 13 Jul 2014 08:29 BST
12 July 2014
Henri Lloyd 50 years of Pioneering Spirit are celebrating winning the 2013-2014 Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, having been consistently near the top of the leader board for the majority of the race.
The yachts have raced over 40,000 nautical miles since the 12- strong matched fleet left St Katharine's Dock, London in September 2013. There have been thrills and some spills along the way for the fleet including terrifying ordeals as well as many lighter moments.
Paul Strzelecki, Joint CEO of Henri Lloyd Ltd reflects on the race, "It's the first time we have sponsored an entry in a round the world race and for our race yacht – Henri Lloyd 50 years of pioneering spirit to win in such style is the icing on the cake".
"We look forward to welcoming back our victorious skipper and crew on Saturday. It's been an eventful race and I have been glued to the race tracker since the start last September. I can't help thinking about my late father Henri who founded Henri Lloyd and equipped Sir Robin back in the 60's, he would have loved this so much. I'm sure there is a big smile on his face as there is on mine".
Henri Lloyd 50 years of Pioneering Spirit has notched up 5 race wins and 11 podium places during the race and have won valuable points in the various ocean sprints, keeping them consistently in the top half of the leader board and winning the race with 166.9 points.
Paul Strzelecki commented, "We often say we equip pioneers- well we've just done it again. Thank you to Eric and all the magnificent crew who have made this possible. You have made us so proud of what you have achieved".
Henri Lloyd 50 years of Pioneering Spirit was named in honour of the later Mr Henri Strzelecki who founded of Henri Lloyd in 1963. Henri Lloyd is proud of its heritage and long relationship with the pioneers of ocean sailing. The company has supplied foul weather gear to some of the legendary names in circumnavigation including Sir Francis Chichester who set the benchmark for solo circumnavigation in 1966-67. And also the founder of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston himself, not only in his record setting non-stop single handed circumnavigation in 1968-69 but for many of his round the world challenges since.
Meteorologist, Eric Holden, 34, is the first Canadian skipper to win the world's longest yacht race. He said, "It has been my goal to skipper a yacht in the Clipper Race since my sister took part in the race in 1999, when she had the good fortune to meet Mr Henri! We have had an amazing voyage – all of my crew have performed to the absolute maximum and we have been proud to sail in the black and gold livery of Henri Lloyd!"
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