Coppercoat makes debut as Official Antifoul Supplier for world's longest ocean race

(l-r) Ewan Clark, Director of Coppercoat, Simon Johnston Head of Clipper Race Fleet Maintenance and Jayson Kenny, Director of Coppercoat © Clipper Ventures

The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race has announced Coppercoat will be the Official Antifoul Supplier for its matched fleet of twelve 70-foot ocean racing yachts which will compete in the 2017-18 edition of the world's longest ocean race.

It is the first time the specialist provider of long-lasting antifoul has partnered with the unique endurance event, and follows the successful application of Coppercoat to Sir Robin Knox-Johnston's Golden Globe winning yacht, Suhaili, in addition to the Clipper 68-foot training fleet.

Welcoming Coppercoat on board, Clipper Race Chairman Sir Robin said: "I am really pleased to welcome Coppercoat as our first ever Official Antifoul Partner.

"The Clipper Race yachts navigate over 40,000 nautical miles of ocean, and each yacht encounters the full range of Mother Nature's environment along their journey. We have been very impressed with Coppercoat's success on our Clipper 68 training fleet and are confident its impressive antifouling technology will help get our Clipper 70s round the world more efficiently."

Coppercoat is made from recycled copper and renowned as the strongest copper based antifouling available through its combination of solvent-free epoxy resin and the high purity (99%) copper. It is the only antifoul that exposes active copper, allowing the underwater surface to withstand the unrelenting attack of a wide variety of fouling organisms the fleet will encounter. It will also provide less drag from its smooth surface and long lasting clean hull, which will provide better performance during the 11-month Clipper Race campaign.

In previous editions the Clipper Race fleet has been lifted halfway through its circumnavigation in Sydney, Australia, for maintenance and antifoul reapplication. With a proven lifespan of at least ten years, the application of Coppercoat will eliminate the need to re-antifoul which will have a positive impact on the race logistics and provide the added benefit of low-maintenance and long-term reduced costs.

Speaking of the new partnership, Ewan Clark, Coppercoat Director, said: "We are very proud to be the Clipper Race's first ever Official Antifoul Partner. Not only is this a fantastic opportunity for Coppercoat to prove its durability in the world's longest ocean race, but in turn it will allow the Clipper 70 yachts to have much more efficiency in the water and will be a long-term and durable solution for its antifoul needs.

"Coppercoat is looking forward to working with the Clipper Race maintenance team over the next year to help prepare its fleet for its 2017-18 edition circumnavigation."

The Clipper 70 fleet is currently in the process of its refit in preparation for the next race edition. Each of the twelve ocean racers will be lifted and refitted, with the first Coppercoat antifoul application commencing next week.

Starting next Summer, the Clipper 2017-18 Race will mark the third circumnavigation of the Clipper 70 fleet and is expected to be the largest ever edition of the race. For information visit www.clipperroundtheworld.com