MAYOR of Derry City and Strabane District Council Alderman Hilary McClintock is travelling to London this weekend to take part in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race finish at St Katharine Docks.
The visit comes just weeks after the hugely successful arrival and departure of the Clipper Race fleet from the Derry~Londonderry port when over 160,000 people participated in the Foyle Maritime Festival celebrations.
Thousands of people are expected to turn out to watch the yachts arrive to a triumphant finish having departed from the same port at the race start 11 months ago.
For the non-professional crew on board the 12 ocean racing yachts, the return to London will mark the end of what has been an amazing and life-changing challenge.
The Derry~Doire team has already secured second place in the overall 40,000 nautical mile race around the planet after a hugely successful campaign which has resulted in six podium finishes so far – three wins and three second places, including a second place into its home port earlier this month.
The team still has the chance to clinch first place overall but to do that it would have to beat the current leader LMAX Exchange by seven race positions in the fourteenth and final stage of this Clipper Race edition.
Speaking ahead of the visit, Mayor McClintock says she is hugely excited about attending the Race finish and being part of the prize-giving celebrations.
“I am extremely proud of the local team and I am really excited about being there when they arrive up the River Thames and pass through Tower Bridge before the ceremony gets underway in St Katharine Docks.
The team are a credit to the city and district and are wonderful sports ambassadors.
“They should be very proud of their achievements and the excellent work they have done promoting our city to a global audience and helping to tell our fantastic story around the world.”
In addition to attending the Race Finish and prize-giving ceremony, the Mayor will be a guest at a celebratory reception hosted by the GREAT Britain campaign, which will be attended by Clipper Race Founder and Chairman Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Clipper Race CEO William Ward and an extended business network.
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