Sunday, 9th April 2006
Dame Ellen meets Clipper Crews before Qingdao Race start
Dame Ellen with the Clipper crews moments before they started race 7 across the North Pacific.
In fine conditions with 20-25 knots of breeze and sunshine reflecting off the skyscraper coastline, yesterday the fleet embarked on the longest leg in the history of the Clipper Race at over 5,600 miles. The race will take them across the North Pacific where the crew will experience some of the toughest sailing conditions since the race start in Liverpool last September.
Before setting off, Solo-Yachtswoman Dame Ellen MacArthur visited each boat to wish the crew fair winds and a safe passage. She commented on her admiration for the amateur sailors, “this is the longest leg of their trip and everyone is very excited and very positive. I know what it feels liked on the morning of a trip and they just want to get out there and race. It is an amazing achievement and I wish them all the best.”
On departure, the dockside was crammed with dancing dragons, performers and an army of musicians. In attendance was the Major of Qingdao, dignitaries from all over China and the Beijing Olympic Committee. All ten Clipper Skippers were presented with ceremonial kites to fly and bottles for each boat to throw overboard on the International Date Line containing messages of goodwill from local Qingdao schoolchildren. As the Skippers re-joined their crews, 5,000 racing pigeons and confetti mortars were released.
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Ellen begleitet die Liverpool zum Start
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