Clipper Race leaves New York, returns to Europe

(June 7, 2014) – The Clipper Race fleet set sail for the highly anticipated final, homecoming leg of the 11 month, 40,000 mile, world’s longest ocean race today with a stunning parade of sail as crew bid a fond farewell to New York City.

Following the parade the teams are now motoring out of the Hudson River to clear the very busy New York Harbour area.

The 2,850 mile Race 14 (of 16) to Derry Londonderry is scheduled to get underway approximately 50 miles outside New York City, with a Le Mans start in the vicinity of Cholera Bank in position 40° 23N, 73° 36W.

Speaking just before leaving North Cove Marina, skipper of fourth place team Derry~Londonderry~Doire, Sean McCarter said: “We are hoping to be able to get a result in this race, it’s the last ocean crossing and our last chance to get a podium position on an ocean leg. We will pass through the Grand Banks and Flemish Cap from the Perfect Storm and we pass north of the position that the Titanic sank. There is a lot of history in this part of the ocean and a lot challenges.

“I can’t wait to sail down the Foyle at the end of the race. I grew up in Derry-Londonderry it’s my home town but I’ve only sailed down the Foyle five or six times which is spectacular to do anyway, with beautiful views and sailing under the new bridge. It’s a great place to sail in to but to do it as the skipper of the home team on the race is something I will remember for the rest of my life and I know the crew will too.”

Report by event media.

Skipper reports: http://www.clipperroundtheworld.com/skipper-reports
Race tracker: http://yb.tl/clipper2013-race14
Race website: http://www.clipperroundtheworld.com

Background:
The 40,000 mile Clipper 2013-14 Round the World Yacht Race began in London, UK on September 1 for the fleet of twelve identical Tony Castro designed Clipper 70s.

The 12 teams began Race 14, the 2850 mile leg from New York City to Derry-Londonderry, Northern Ireland, on June 7. The fleet is estimated to arrive by June 21.

The race route includes Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Cape Town, South Africa; Albany, Sydney, Hobart and Brisbane, Australia; Singapore; Qingdao, China; San Francisco, USA; Panama; Jamaica; New York, USA; Derry-Londonderry, Ireland; and Den Helder, Netherlands before returning to London on July 12.