Clipper Round the World Yacht Race secures Chinese entry until 2016 in major sponsorship deal

Qingdao first destination to sign up to sponsor third generation

global race fleet. Clipper 13-14 set to become world’s largest and

longest race.

6 January 2012 – Clipper Ventures Plc announced at the London Boat Show today that it

has signed a major sponsorship deal with Qingdao, host of the sailing

events of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, to continue its participation

in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race through to 2016.

Credit:

Clipper – Clipper Ventures’ chief executive, William Ward (right), and

Qingdao Municipal Government Vice-Mayor, Wang Xiulin, at the signing

ceremony in China

Qingdao has fielded an entry and

hosted the event since 2005 and has credited the Clipper Race with

helping it not only prepare for hosting the Olympics but also in

developing its brand as China’s Sailing City. It will now become the

first destination in the world to sponsor six editions of the unique

biennial event.

“This is excellent news,” said William Ward,

chief executive of Clipper Ventures. “I am proud of the role the Clipper

Race has played in helping Qingdao to be successful, promoting its

sailing achievements and helping to tell its story around the world. It

also brings our sponsors together in Qingdao to stimulate international

trade between China and the rest of the world.”

Madam Lin

Zhiwei, Chairman of Qingdao Sports Federation, said, “We have decided to

continue our collaboration in Clipper 13-14 and Clipper 15-16. It has

become an important event to build our brand as the Sailing City of

China.”

New fleet

The construction of an innovative new

fleet of 12 Clipper 70 yachts, with an option for a further four, is

progressing on schedule in China. It will be the world’s biggest matched

fleet of large ocean racing yachts. UK based suppliers of equipment and

services are also being signed up for the new fleet and future races.

Speaking

on the opening day of the 2012 London Boat Show, Clipper Ventures

founder and chairman Sir Robin Knox-Johnston said, “The manufacture of

the Clipper 70s is now well underway and will help us to meet the

growing demand from crew and sponsors with a forward programme through

to 2020.”

The legendary British yachtsman added, “The Clipper

Race is unique in world business and I believe our own performance

demonstrates that the UK marine sector has great potential and needs to

be celebrated. Clipper Ventures puts millions of pounds into the local

economy around its base in Portsmouth Harbour every year and our high

proportion of overseas income makes a positive contribution to Britain’s

Balance of Payments.”

The eighth edition of the Clipper Race,

Clipper 11-12, is currently halfway through its 40,000-mile

circumnavigation en route from the Gold Coast, Australia, to Qingdao via

Singapore. The fleet will reach Marina at Keppel Bay, Singapore, on 28

January and the yachts are expected to begin arriving at the Qingdao

International Marina and Olympic Sailing Center from 22 February.