Kev
04-27-2006, 10:31 AM
A MARITIME extravaganza has been organised to celebrate the homecoming of the round-the-world Clipper race.
The competing yachts will arrive in Liverpool on July 29 - a month later than expected after technical problems with the boats brought racing to a halt.
Now a new closing ceremony has been organised, which includes a civic reception and street entertainment.
The original homecoming weekend will now become the All Aboard festival - a trial run for the Tall Ships in 2008.
Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Chairman of Clipper Ventures plc, said: "The return of the Clipper Fleet to Liverpool on July 29 signifies the culmination of months of adventure, challenges and experiences as the ten-strong fleet have raced 35,000 miles around the world to complete the full circle.
"Liverpool gave the race a spectacular send-off back in September 2005, and the excitement is already building as this great maritime city gears up for the grand finale."
The Clipper yachts will arrive in Liverpool at 12.30pm and will sail in formation across the finishing line half an hour later.
They will then arrive at the docks at 2pm for the civic reception with the Lord Mayor and make their way from Canning Dock to Albert Dock.
A prize-giving ceremony will be held on a floating stage from 4pm and the crew will then disembark to enjoy a well-earned party at Anfield that night.
Street entertainment will be organised and visitors will get a chance to see the vessels close up on Sunday while they are being cleaned.
The All Aboard weekend, on July 1 and 2, will see five tall ships come into Liverpool in a trial run for the start of the 08 Tall Ships race in the city.
The delayed Clipper 05-06 Round the World yacht race made an unscheduled seven-week stop in the Philippines after it emerged there was a potentially dangerous flaw in the vessels.
Heavy bolts which tied the lead and steel keel to a foam and fibreglass hull had become loose on the Glasgow Clipper and inches of water were leaking through.
Crew members returned to the UK while vital repairs were carried out on all 10 vessels, which are Dubois 68 yachts specially built in China for the race. The Glasgow boat was diverted to the Philippines mid-way through the fourth leg between Singapore and China and hours later all the teams were told to head for the port.
The Mersey homecoming was originally planned for the first weekend in July.
Meanwhile, the Liverpool 08 Clipper won the latest leg of the race in a dramatic finish.
Council leader Warren Bradley said: "It's great that everything is back on track and the Clipper crews will get the Liverpool homecoming they deserve."
samlister@dailypost.co.uk
The competing yachts will arrive in Liverpool on July 29 - a month later than expected after technical problems with the boats brought racing to a halt.
Now a new closing ceremony has been organised, which includes a civic reception and street entertainment.
The original homecoming weekend will now become the All Aboard festival - a trial run for the Tall Ships in 2008.
Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Chairman of Clipper Ventures plc, said: "The return of the Clipper Fleet to Liverpool on July 29 signifies the culmination of months of adventure, challenges and experiences as the ten-strong fleet have raced 35,000 miles around the world to complete the full circle.
"Liverpool gave the race a spectacular send-off back in September 2005, and the excitement is already building as this great maritime city gears up for the grand finale."
The Clipper yachts will arrive in Liverpool at 12.30pm and will sail in formation across the finishing line half an hour later.
They will then arrive at the docks at 2pm for the civic reception with the Lord Mayor and make their way from Canning Dock to Albert Dock.
A prize-giving ceremony will be held on a floating stage from 4pm and the crew will then disembark to enjoy a well-earned party at Anfield that night.
Street entertainment will be organised and visitors will get a chance to see the vessels close up on Sunday while they are being cleaned.
The All Aboard weekend, on July 1 and 2, will see five tall ships come into Liverpool in a trial run for the start of the 08 Tall Ships race in the city.
The delayed Clipper 05-06 Round the World yacht race made an unscheduled seven-week stop in the Philippines after it emerged there was a potentially dangerous flaw in the vessels.
Heavy bolts which tied the lead and steel keel to a foam and fibreglass hull had become loose on the Glasgow Clipper and inches of water were leaking through.
Crew members returned to the UK while vital repairs were carried out on all 10 vessels, which are Dubois 68 yachts specially built in China for the race. The Glasgow boat was diverted to the Philippines mid-way through the fourth leg between Singapore and China and hours later all the teams were told to head for the port.
The Mersey homecoming was originally planned for the first weekend in July.
Meanwhile, the Liverpool 08 Clipper won the latest leg of the race in a dramatic finish.
Council leader Warren Bradley said: "It's great that everything is back on track and the Clipper crews will get the Liverpool homecoming they deserve."
samlister@dailypost.co.uk