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Derry gets major yacht race
stopover
18.08.10
DERRY is to host a
major round-the-world yacht race in 2012, it's been
announced.
The city will receive a ten-strong fleet from the
Clipper Round the World Yacht Race in July that year
with a festival at the end of the final stage.
The city will also have a yacht taking part in the
event which attracts a global audience of nearly 500
million people.
Derry City mayor Colum Eastwood said: "We've
partnered with Clipper as we believe it provides a
world-class opportunity to showcase the city
internationally while supporting business, education
and cultural links ahead of the UK City of Culture
2013. |
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Cork sponsored by Fáilte Ireland, Cork County Council and Cork City
Council in Clipper 2009/10 . This is first time Ireland has competed in the
Clipper race. Photo: Heather Ewing/Clipper Ventures
PLC. |
"It is an important
building block in developing the city's reputation
as a location for international events and brings
fully into use the full urban quayside of the River
Foyle.
He said the event would be a "catalyst project" that
would build a legacy for the maritime, tourism,
business and cultural life of the city.
A grant of £40,000 has been given by the NI Tourism
Board to help secure the bid for the Derry stopover.
Northern Ireland Tourism Minister Arlene Foster said
the announcement was a "huge coup" for the city. |
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