Jamaica entry in Clipper Race will deliver global promotion
by Ruth Harrington 24 Jul 2013 18:58 BST
23 July 2013
The Jamaica Tourist Board will sponsor an entry in the 2013-14 edition of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.
The yacht, part of the new state of the art fleet of ocean racers debuting in the latest edition of the Clipper Race, will showcase Jamaica as one of the most desirable visitor destinations on the planet during the 40,000-mile, 11 month ocean race, to deliver a global promotion as it visits 15 ports on six continents.
This is the third time that Jamaica has fielded an entry. The founder and chairman of the Clipper Race, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston said, "We are extremely pleased to welcome back a Jamaican entry, in what is the largest ever edition of the Clipper Race.
"In both the 2007-08 and 2009-10 editions of the Clipper Race, Jamaica was one of the most popular locations amongst our crew. The race will provide the perfect platform for the Jamaica Tourist Board to continue to showcase Jamaica to an international audience."
The Jamaican yacht entry will be crewed by amateurs under the watchful eye of one of the twelve exceptional skippers who were chosen after a rigorous selection process by organisers of the Clipper Race. For the third time in the history of the race, the fleet will visit Errol Flynn Marina in Port Antonio, where they will receive a hero's welcome.
"This exciting project is a unique opportunity to target Jamaica's key tourism markets across the globe, bringing Destination Jamaica back under the international spotlight," commented John Lynch, Director of Tourism for the Jamaica Tourist Board. "Jamaica's vibrant branding will be seen all over the world. We are planning a creative programme of events and activity to mark the arrival of the Jamaica yacht into the race's various ports-of-call."
After setting sail from London's Tower Bridge on 1 September 2013, the matched fleet of 12 yachts will race around the globe, before arriving in Port Antonio "From Rio de Janeiro in Brazil (host to the 2014 FIFA World Cup and Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games) to Qingdao in China (host of the 2008 Summer Olympic sailing competitions) and back to London (host of the London 2012 Summer Olympics), Brand Jamaica will revisit countries where our athletes have secured world-breaking athletic victories over the years and look forward to competing in the future," continued Mr Lynch.
William Tatham, Vice President of Cruise Shipping and Marina Operations for the Port Authority of Jamaica, said: "The arrival of these prestigious racing yachts into the Errol Flynn Marina is a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate the unique facilities of the port. Jamaica was named 'Caribbean's Leading Cruise Destination' at the 2012 World Travel Awards and we are looking forward to extending a warm Jamaican welcome."
The Clipper 13-14 Race will set off from St Katharine Docks, London on Sunday, 1 September on a 40,000-mile journey around the globe, making it the world's longest ocean race, stopping at 15 ports on six continents over 11 months.
For more information visit www.clipperroundtheworld.com