Skipper Change for Clipper Race

Published on October 27th, 2015

Cape Town, SA (October 27, 2015) – Highly accomplished ocean racing skipper and instructor Bob Beggs is to take the helm aboard Qingdao in Cape Town for the remainder of its 2015-16 Clipper Round the World Yacht Race campaign. Beggs replaces Skipper Igor Gotlibovych, who left the race following its arrival in South Africa.

“We decided to part company with Igor by mutual agreement and wish him well in his future endeavours,” reports Race Director Justin Taylor.

Beggs, a former British Army commando, led the winning team in The Times Clipper 2000 Round the World Race.

“I am really looking forward to leading the Qingdao team,” said Beggs. “They have demonstrated a highly competitive spirit in their first two races and I will work with them to continue to develop their campaign to ensure they have a rewarding race experience.”

Beggs, 55, is a successful ocean racing veteran. He achieved his first Atlantic crossing under sail in a Camper Nicholson ketch in 1988. He led Bristol Clipper to victory in The Times Clipper 2000 Race and is an experienced sailing instructor. Among his many racing campaigns are five Fastnet races as skipper, numerous Trans-Atlantic and Round Britain and Ireland races. In addition he has a wide range of activity interests which include diving, parachuting and skiing.

“Bob is a very experienced skipper,” notes Taylor. “I am confident he will bond quickly with the Qingdao crew and will help them develop their skills and success even further.”

This is the second skipper change for the 2015-16 edition, following the resignation of ClipperTelemed+ skipper Diane Reid (CAN) who left the race in Cape Town due to personal family considerations. Clipper Race veteran skipper Matt Mitchell (GBR) 28, has joined ClipperTelemed+ in Cape Town to lead the team for the remainder of the race.

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Report by event media.

Background: The 40,000 mile Clipper 2015-16 Round the World Yacht Race began in London, UK on August 30 for the fleet of twelve identical Tony Castro designed Clipper 70s. The series is divided into 16 individual races, with the team with the best cumulative score winning the Clipper Race Trophy. Each team is led by a professional skipper with an all-amateur crew.

The third leg will start October 31 and takes the fleet 4856 nm from Cape Town, South Africa to Albany, Western Australia. The fleet is estimate to finish between November 22 and 26.

The ports along the race route are Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Cape Town, South Africa; Albany, Sydney, Hobart and Airlie Beach, Australia; Da Nang, Vietnam; Qingdao, China; Seattle, USA; Panama; New York, USA; Derry-Londonderry, Ireland; and Den Helder, Netherlands before returning to London by late July.