Dutch port of Den Helder to host Clipper 2015-16 Race crew
by Marina Thomas 6 Aug 2015 11:55 BST
6 August 2015
Dutch port of Den Helder © Clipper Ventures
For the third time in the Clipper Race's history, the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race crew will receive a warm Dutch welcome in Den Helder in the penultimate race of the Atlantic Homecoming Leg 8.
Twelve teams of international crew will race into the north of The Netherlands on Race 13 of the leg from New York to London via Derry-Londonderry and Den Helder in July 2016.
The boats will moor at the Host Port, Willemsoord, which is the former marine and maintenance yard for the Dutch Royal Navy and has a rich history.
Willemsoord Director Hans Broekmeulen said: "I am really looking forward to welcoming the 12 Clipper 70s and meeting all the crews during their stay. We do hope that they will have an unforgettable stopover in Den Helder, which is beautiful and has lots to offer historically and recreationally."
Upon finishing the race into Den Helder, the crew will be given zoute haring- uncooked herring eaten whole with chopped onions - an acquired taste for foreigners. They will also toast The Netherlands with a shot of Jenever - a local spirit made with juniper berries, and often called Dutch gin.
Seven Dutch crew will compete in this year's Clipper Race.
The final race to London will start off the Den Helder coast on July 28 2016, in the presence of a Dutch Navy ship on the start line.
The Clipper 2015-16 Race is the tenth edition of the unique global event which was established in 1996 by yachting legend Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first person to sail solo, non-stop, around the world in 1968-9.
Sir Robin added: "We have an excellent partnership with the naval city of Den Helder and appreciate the support it gives us and the warm welcome it gives to our multinational crew."
The Clipper Race is unique in that it trains amateurs to take on the world's most challenging oceans. Crew members come from all walks of life, represent over 40 different nationalities, and are aged 18 to 70 plus, and more than a third are female. 40 per cent of crew have no sailing experience before they sign up to take part as full training is provided.
Starting in London, UK, on August 30, the circumnavigation is divided into eight individual legs and will take almost a year to complete after crossing six different continents, and enduring some of Mother Nature's toughest conditions.
clipperroundtheworld.com