News

New crew get onboard for Clipper 09-10

20 October 2008

Qingdao, one of the fleet of 68-foot racing yachts that will contest the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race, proved an extremely popular attraction when she was moored in St Katharine Docks, London, last week.

Hundreds of people, inspired by the achievements of the crews in the six previous Clipper Races, came to find out more about competing in one of the most testing sporting events in the world and Crew Recruitment Manager, David Cusworth, was kept busy interviewing applicants for the Clipper 09-10 Race. Six of those who visited the boat have been accepted as round the world crew and will soon embark on their Clipper Training, as will those who have been offered places on individual legs of the race. Each of the yachts in Clipper 09-10 will have between seven and ten round the world crew on board.

While the team in London enjoyed glorious sunshine for the duration of the visit the weather has now turned distinctly autumnal; how many of those who visited Qingdao are now staring out of their office window on a dreary October day, dreaming about taking on the challenge of a lifetime?

Many of the London-based crew from previous races also came to see the yacht and bring with them others who have been inspired by their great adventure. Do the tales get taller with their re-telling? Only those who have been part of it will truly know!

Twelve months ago the fleet was in Salvador da Bahia, enjoying the stopover in this wonderfully Brazilian city with its adrenaline-fuelled mixture of beauty, mysticism, magic and music and preparing for the next ocean crossing. Leg 1 crew were bidding a sad farewell, while those competing on Leg 2 were arriving to join their team for the exhilarating sleigh ride across the south Atlantic, touching on the fringes of the Southern Ocean.

This time next year what will you be doing?

To find out how you could get onboard for Clipper 09-10 email , or call +44 (0)2392 526000.

Visit Clipper Round The World Yacht Race for more exciting updates.