Clipper 2002 Race Report
31 March 2003
HONG KONG WELCOMES CLIPPER FLEET
Hong Kong is playing host to the eight yachts and their crews of the Clipper
2002 Round the World Yacht Race. The first yacht sailed into Victoria
Harbour last Friday (28 March) after successfully completing the Sinotrans
Race from Shanghai to Hong Kong, part of the third crew leg.
A press conference held today, 31 March 2003, at the Royal Hong Kong Yacht
Club officially welcomed the Clippers for their three-week stopover in Hong
Kong.
The Clipper 2002 Race Director, Colin de Mowbray, expressed his delight
about the arrival of the yachts in Hong Kong. He said: "Hong Kong has always
been a special place for the Clipper Race. It marks not only the halfway
stage but also one of the most exciting and dramatic places for any seafarer
to visit. The memories these 120 crew members will have as they sail up
Victoria Harbour will be with them for life."
"This visit will be especially exciting, as we have 'Hong Kong Clipper' as
one of our eight yachts. Skipper Justin Taylor and his crew have been
proudly representing and promoting Hong Kong around the world and the yacht
has received a very warm welcome to her mother port," he added. The Invest
Hong Kong-sponsored yacht clinched victory in the first race from Liverpool
to Cascais in Portugal last November and also won the Hawaii to Yokohama
race in early March.
The Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong,
John Wan, also extended his warm welcome. He said: "We commend everyone
involved for an extraordinary performance. Of course, we are especially
proud of the 'Hong Kong Clipper,' which has represented Asia's World City so
successfully."
He added: "Invest Hong Kong's sponsorship of the 'Hong Kong Clipper' gives
us an opportunity to associate our city's unique competitive advantages with
a highly demanding and challenging sporting event. Team spirit and the
dedication are attributes that the crew shares with the people of Hong
Kong."
Justin Taylor also commented: "My crew and I feel extremely proud to be
representing Hong Kong whilst racing around the world. We have been very
well received in all the ports we have visited and I have been amazed by the
interest and enthusiasm the name of this yacht has created. This visit is
going to be one of the great highlights of this marathon race for everyone,
not just the lucky ones in Hong Kong Clipper!"
After the stopover in Hong Kong, the Clipper fleet will join the San
Fernando Race 2003 organised by the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club.
The Commodore of the Yacht Club, Dr Alan Lau, said: "For the second year,
the Clipper fleet will be racing with us to San Fernando in the Philippines.
We hope to share in their stories ashore and join in friendly competition on
the water.
"We hope everyone from the Clipper fleet is enjoying our accommodation and
services here at the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club. My sincere thanks to the
Clipper Ventures and Invest Hong Kong for bringing the Clipper fleet here."
The Clipper 2002 Round the World Yacht Race is the world's longest
circumnavigation race, covering 35,500 nautical miles. The eight identical
yachts, namely _blank York, London, Cape Town, Glasgow, Jersey, Bristol,
Liverpool and Hong Kong, set sail from Liverpool last October.
The six-leg, 16-port race will return to Liverpool (UK) on 27 September
2003.
CLIPPER 2002 OVERALL RACE ORDER:
(Provisional after 8 races)
Pos Yacht Cumulative Points
1 Jersey 53
2 Bristol 46
3 Liverpool 39.5
4 London 39
5 Hong Kong 36
6 Glasgow 35
7 _blank York 26
8 Cape Town 12
Clipper _blanks Distribution
Clipper Ventures Plc
Tel: +44 (0) 2380 237088
Fax: +44 (0) 2380 237081
Email: distribution@clipper-ventures.com
Website: www.clipper-ventures.com
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