The Clipper Yachts came to Liverpool today. The race starts on september 18th at noon sharp(!).

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http://www.liverpoolviews.co.uk/clip05/home/liver7.jpg

Fantastic pics there Dave, looks brilliant :D

What's happening this sunday?

Any pics will be greatly appreciated at the gallery :)

The yachts are going to be on the Mersey at 1030 ish sunday morning and the race starts at about 1200. Hope the weather is fair!!

:tear:

It was a little dull on sunday so the pictures have NOT turned out that good I am afraid. :disgust:

http://www.liverpoolviews.co.uk/clip05/race/race.jpg

http://www.liverpoolviews.co.uk/clip05/race/race1.jpg

http://www.liverpoolviews.co.uk/clip05/race/race2.jpg

And lastly!

http://www.liverpoolviews.co.uk/clip05/race/race3.jpg

Should of takenthem from the Liverpool side. :razz:

I would have done but I like having the Liver Buildings as a back drop.

:D

Excellent pics Dave, fill you with pride :nod:

smashing pics :thumbsup: thanks for sharing them :)

I would have done but I like having the Liver Buildings as a back drop.

:D


You musty spend quite alot of dough travelling allover Liverpool.

Not that much, Max.

Not that much, Max.

You drive to places? If you used bus it would be expensive. :surprised

You drive to places? If you used bus it would be expensive. :surprised

If you used the bus it would be less expensive.

:neutral:

Really? How though? Going to the Wirral from werever would cost quite a bit and buses to the north can be to places like Crosby etc.

Oh yeah because Petrol for a car can be more expensive maybe?

I use the car because I can't be bothered to wait for the bus or train!

:lol:

Would you do photography for a living one day?

Depends how well it paid. :ninja:

What if you were takingpicture of beatiful ladies? :unibrow:

I'll stick to taking pictures of buildings and ships thank you young Max.

:noid:

I'd do it. :thumbsup: :unibrow:

Indeed!

Max, u cheeky fella :unibrow:

THE Liverpool crew yesterday won the first contest of the marathon Clipper Round the World yacht race.

At 6.14am local time, Liverpool 08 ghosted gently across the finish line off Cascais in Portugal, narrowly beating Western Australia into second place, and followed 10 minutes later by Durban.

More (http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100regionalnews/tm_objectid=16174688%26method=full%26siteid=50061% 26headline=liverpool%2dclipper%2dvictory-name_page.html)

Get ready for grandstand finish
Jul 28 2006
By Adrian Butler, Daily Post

http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/icliverpool/sep2005/6/7/00056511-76DD-132E-86B70C01AC1BF814.jpg

LIVERPOOL'S Clipper yacht was in first place last night as the city geared up for tomorrow's nail-biting finish.

Yesterday, the ten-strong crew were in a prime position to sail into Albert Dock as winners of the final leg of the round-the-world race.

And a strong victory over the rival New York yacht would scoop the Liverpool '08 Clipper an overall third place.

The boats were due to arrive at Holyhead early today for a quick stop. Then they will travel the final 60 miles to Bar Lightship in Liverpool Bay around 9am, with the result announced at 10am.

Then, the 68ft ships will sail up the Mersey in the Liverpool 08 Dash before a series of parades and displays.

As well as the climax of the race there will also be air displays, jet skis and gun salutes by the Royal Artillery.

The prizes will then be awarded on a giant floating stage at Salthouse Dock.

Huge crowds are expected to spend the day at Albert Dock to cheer on the home team, who have spent nearly a year at sea.

http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/icliverpool/jul2006/4/2/AEF95490-CFE3-A929-C570089E2D053E4E.jpg

Aboard the ship is Daily Post reporter Graham Davies, who has joined the boat for its final leg.

Clipper Chairman Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first man to sail non-stop round the world, said the Liverpool team's achievement was remarkable.

"The crews have achieved something very special," he said.

"Fewer people have sailed round the world than have climbed Everest. These people are in a very small group.

"It will be interesting for people who saw them at the start to see them at the finish. You will notice a change - you will find them more self-confident in a quiet way."

Sir Robin urged Liverpudlians to give their team a hero's welcome as the world's cameras focused on the city.

"In the past, there has been a good response. If there is a big crowd, it will show off Liverpool and help sell the city."

At the moment, the Australian ship is in the lead, with the yacht from Glasgow in last place.

There are ten points to play for in the race to Holyhead, then a bonus five points for the final short sprint to Liverpool where the fleet are due to arrive tomorrow.

The race is short, with being in the right place for the change of tide a crucial factor, and no room for errors.

* TO FOLLOW the final stages of the race, log onto www.clipper-ventures.com/2006

Source: icLiverpool (http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100regionalnews/tm_objectid=17465156&method=full&siteid=50061&headline=get-ready-for-grandstand-finish-name_page.html)

Clipper race finishes tomorrow
By Catherine Lawler (clawler@wirral-globe.co.uk)

http://www.thisiswirral.co.uk/_images/db/25/26/clipper.252673.full.jpg

The crew from the Liverpool 08 Clipper, who won the latest leg of the competition


CLIPPER crews will return to the River Mersey tomorrow lunchtime after their nautical journey around the world.

Ten yachts have been competing in the round the world race across 35,000 miles (56,300km) of sea, visiting a total of 12 ports before returning to Liverpool.

The final leg of the race is likely to be close and is looking like an exciting finish.

Thousands of spectators are expected to line both sides of the River Mersey to welcome the yachts back home.

Crew on the China-sponsored boat, Qingdao, includes Ben McCann from Wirral.

Highlights of the fun-packed day include Jet Ski demonstrations, an air display and the official prize giving on the floating stage at Salt House Dock, adjacent to Albert Dock.

As well as all of the maritime entertainment, there will also be street theatre and bands in and around the dock all day.


3:17pm Friday 28th July 2006

Source: Wirral Globe (http://www.thisiswirral.co.uk/display.var.856568.0.clipper_race_finishes_tomorro w.php)

Glasgow Clipper on final stretch

GLASGOW'S round-the-world clipper crew are putting in an extra effort as they head towards the finishing line after the 10-month sea race.

Led by skipper Rory Gillard the Scotland with Style yacht is now in seventh place overall in the 35,000 mile race.

The crew crossed the English Channel on Wednesday then made their way to Holyhead in Wales from where the fleet will leave for the final sprint to Liverpool.

First place is held by westernaustralia.com - who are just ahead of Durban - and are well placed to win the race overall when it ends in Merseyside's Albert Dock.

However, Jersey cannot afford to lose more than two places to Glasgow, who would then have an opportunity to finish in a higher spot.

The 10-month race is due to finish tomorrow when the fleet docks in the English port.

Publication date 28/07/06

Source: Glasgow Evening Times (http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/hi/news/5055312.html)

Clipper Race draws to a close

The 10-strong fleet in the Clipper 05-06 Round the World Yacht Race left the dock for the final time last night in Holyhead as they set sail on the last race (Race 13) to Liverpool where they are due to arrive at the mouth of the River Mersey this morning between 0830 and 1000.

The fleet set off in bright sunshine and with 15-knots of breeze behind them, they all crossed the line in full sail complete with spinnakers.

After racing into Holyhead earlier yesterday from Jersey, the first two spots on the overall leader board have already been claimed by westernaustralia.com and Durban who are unreachable now on the points tally in first and second place respectively. westernaustralia.com claimed the top spot this morning after gaining enough points from the second place finish in Race 12, Durban gave a good fight finishing shortly after in third. Liverpool 08 however, managed to steal a last moment of glory with a stunning first place finish in the early hours.

With the race from Jersey over, the interesting duel now is between New York Clipper and Liverpool 08 where only one point remains between them in the last sprint to Liverpool (race 13). New York currently lie in third position just one point ahead of Liverpool 08 but with 5 points up for grabs the situation could easily change.

Since leaving Liverpool last September, the fleet, backed by ten international cities (Liverpool, Cardiff, Glasgow, Jersey, Victoria - Canada, Qingdao - China, Singapore, Western Australia, Durban - South Africa, New York) have travelled 35,000 miles in the longest race around the world. Over the course of the race they have visited five continents and have crossed five major oceans including the icy North Pacific and dipped into the formidable Southern Ocean.

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Chairman of Clipper Ventures Plc said: '"the 05-06 Race has been very tough and very close from the beginning and each crew will be racing flat out for Liverpool. I am looking forward to seeing the fleet safely back home."

He continued: "on arriving in Liverpool the crew will reflect on their own personal victory, whether they are on the podium or not. More people have climbed Everest than have raced around the world under sail. When that achievement sinks in, they will notice a change in themselves, and it gives me a quiet inner pleasure to know that they will get more out of life from now on."

After crossing the finish line at the Liverpool Bar Lightship, the fleet will sail down the Mersey River to arrive into Liverpool for approximately 1230.
Yachting World, 29 July 2006

Source: Yachting World (http://www.ybw.com/auto/newsdesk/20060629081735ywnews.html)

westernaustralia.com win the final race
Saturday, 29th July 2006

http://www.clipper-ventures.co.uk/2006/uploads/wawin13.jpg
Click on Image to Enlarge (http://www.clipper-ventures.co.uk/2006/uploads/large_wawin13.jpg)

After over 10 months of ocean racing and 35,000 miles westernaustralia.com crossed the finish line at 0704GMT in 1st place on Saturday morning clinching the title of overall winners of the Clipper 05-06 Round the World Yacht Race.

The first ever Australian entry in the Clipper Race, affectionately known as the Big Blue, left Holyhead on Friday with an unassailable lead after finishing race 12 from Jersey in 2nd place.

Skipper Mark Preedy and his crew will become the first team to win the race in the new fleet of Clipper 68s and celebrated their win with champagne after crossing the line.

Source: Clipper-Ventures Plc (http://www.clipper-ventures.co.uk/2006/content/news/view.php?id=660)

Brilliant Howie, anyone going today? Take plenty of pics :celb (23):

I'll be there :) I might take my camera ;)

I'll be there :) I might take my camera ;)

Cool :PDT_Piratz_26::PDT_Aliboronz_24:

Well it rained and when it didn't it was overcast so its going to take some creative thinking on how to make the images look good. Its now rather nice out. Typical :)

City climax of world yacht race

Thousands of spectators gathered in Liverpool for the climax of a 35,000-mile yacht race.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41940000/jpg/_41940474_livclip.jpg
The Liverpool team narrowly missed
out on a podium position

The Clipper 05-06 Round the World Yacht Race featured 10 identical craft circumnavigating the globe.

The Western Australia team won the race on Saturday, while the Liverpool team missed a podium finish when they were beaten into fourth place by New York.

Spectators lined the River Mersey to welcome the crews back into the city where the race started last September.

The final leg of the race took the crews of novice sailors from Jersey with a brief stop in Holyhead, north Wales.

Each of the racing yachts are named after - and officially endorsed by - a different city or country including New York, Western Australia, Victoria, Qingdao, Jersey, Liverpool, Singapore, Durban, Glasgow and Cardiff.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41944000/jpg/_41944340_clip_endpa203b.jpg
The race lasted for 10 months

In January the race was stopped for two months amid safety concerns after the skipper of the Glasgow Clipper reported a loose keel bolt as it sailed between Singapore and Qingdao, China.

An inspection was ordered and slight movement on the keel bolt was found on the other nine vessels, endangering their stability.

Race chiefs ordered the entire fleet to divert to Subic Bay in the Philippines for a full inspection.

The race was restarted but stops in Yokohama, Japan, and Curacao in the Caribbean were removed from the route.

Performances from musicians, aerial displays and a flotilla of local vessels welcomed the boats back into Liverpool.

Source: BBC NEWS | Merseyside (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/5226660.stm)

http://www.liverpoolviews.co.uk/clip05/clipper2907061.jpg

http://www.liverpoolviews.co.uk/clip05/clipper2907062.jpg

http://www.liverpoolviews.co.uk/clip05/clipper2907063.jpg

http://www.liverpoolviews.co.uk/clip05/clipper2907064.jpg

Two videos.

Video one - 17mb (http://www.liverpoolviews.co.uk/clip05/clipper1.wmv)

Video two - 13 1/2mb (http://www.liverpoolviews.co.uk/clip05/clipper2.wmv)

Two videos.

Video one - 17mb (http://www.liverpoolviews.co.uk/clip05/clipper1.wmv)

Video two - 13 1/2mb (http://www.liverpoolviews.co.uk/clip05/clipper2.wmv)
Cheers for the vids and pics Dave :celb (23):

Check out the SKY NEWS (http://news.sky.com/skynews/picture_gallery/picture_gallery/0,,70141-1229232-1,00.html) photos too.

Heroes' welcome for Clipper and her crew
Jul 31 2006
GRAHAM DAVIES joined the Liverpool 08 Clipper for the final journey from Jersey to her home city. Here, he reports on an atmospheric homecoming
By Graham Davies, Daily Post

http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/icliverpool/jul2006/7/4/C3E828C4-0E34-9E27-20A152B82A734999.jpg

MY HANDS are sore, my legs are tingling and I'm a tad smelly. But after the experience I've just had, all of these minor discomforts seem to be fading away.

Hours ago, I sailed into my home port, cheered on by thousands of Merseysiders lining the docks. There will be few moments in my life to match that.

Although I joined the boat a mere five days earlier, the heroes' welcome we received was one of the most moving experiences of my life.

Most crew members joined months ago, while nine had been on board since the clipper left the city last September.

It was a poignant scene as they looked out at the landmarks they had missed for so long after crossing the finish line in the mouth of the Mersey.

As we sailed into the Crosby Channel, the first building that came into view was the Anglican cathedral, a black blob standing firm on the horizon.

Behind it was the faint outline of the Radio City tower. Soon, we could see the familiar shapes of the Liver Building and the Metropolitan Cathedral.

Our panorama stretched out from Formby Point to Wallasey, taking in the half-constructed wind farm at Burbo Bank, and Antony Gormley's stunning iron men dotted across the Crosby shore.

"We're home," said Joe, a 65-year-old grandfather from Formby. "There's no other place that comes close to this city. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else in the world."

http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/icliverpool/jul2006/1/5/C3EAF3B2-0F73-CAB5-F7A54D67C1F28E1C.jpg

As we came closer to port, yachts from Liverpool Marina sporting Capital of Culture flags sailed out to provide us with an escort.

For some people, the city - with its skyline framed by around 20 giant cranes - was a different place to the one they had left.

"Look how that's come along," said Keeno, a 62-year-old retired diver from Heswall, as he pointed to the gigantic arena that had sprung up at the Kings Dock.

"That was nothing more than a hole in the ground when we left."

And there were other new things he was looking forward to seeing: "I've got a year old granddaughter at home and I've only seen her for two weeks."

For a final bit of fun, we participated in a "dash" around the Mersey, racing up and down against the other boats to entertain the crowd.

We experienced some of the best sailing weather of the trip, with the boat tilting so much, we had to clip ourselves to the deck to stop us falling off. Some crew members commented the Mersey had provided stronger winds than the Atlantic weeks earlier.

Planes performed aerobatic stunts overhead and we were even visited by the Royal Iris ferry, filled with people screaming their appreciation as the captain sounded the foghorn to welcome us back.

A group of men on blue jetskis stopped alongside to take pictures. "They're all good Evertonian lads," said Dave, 34, a charity adviser from Old Swan. "Stuff the dolphins, I'd rather see them."

We dropped sails and switched on the engine, enabling us to get nearer the crowds.

There were tears in crew members' eyes as we began to pick out friends and family waiting for us along the shore.

The people of Liverpool were braving the rain to welcome back their own. Banners were strewn across the dockside railings spelling out messages for loved ones, while cheers and chants were filled with a sense of pride directed towards the city's newest ambassadors.

Liverpool 08 was the last boat in the parade through the Canning Half Tide Dock. A fanfare sounded and two cannons shot out clouds of rainbow confetti.

We turned the corner into the Albert Dock, which erupted into cheers from the spectators.

"Thank you, Liverpool," yelled Andy, 55, a former business development manager from Rainhll, "It's great to be back. What a welcome."

That welcome made the previous 24 hours of tough sailing seem all the more worthwhile.

After setting off from Holyhead at 6pm the previous day, we were in for an intense night of continual manoeuvres to ensure we finished in a respectable position.

Sticking to our watch system, which saw us on deck at three or four-hour intervals, we spent our time unpacking sails, hoisting them, trimming them, lowering them and packing them away, only for them to be used again a short time later.

Our main aim was to get ahead of the New York boat. As long as we came two places before it, we would secure third place.

But within a couple of hours of setting off, the wind collapsed on us, and New York creamed past, much to the chagrin of all on board.

By the early hours, the wind had picked up. While it was not enough to allow us to catch up with New York, we still achieved a dramatic finale.

Shortly before the finish line, we were heading for fourth place, just behind the Victoria clipper.

But as we tacked the boat through the wind, we were given a final push that saw us sail past our opponents, giving us third place minutes before we crossed the line.

It was a moment akin to many of this city's sporting achievements. And it made the boat's motto - scrawled in black marker across the hatch leading below deck - more relevant than ever: "Remember Istanbul."

While we did not achieve our desired podium position for the overall race, we were still in the top five - and the people of Liverpool didn't seem to care.

This crew had sailed a boat around the globe battling against extreme weather conditions, illnesses and technical problems. The boat had come back in one piece to the city it originally left.

That the crew was made up of amateurs - people of varying ages and social backgrounds who put aside their differences to work as a team - makes the achievement even more impressive.

As for me, I feel honoured to have been part of that team, albeit for the short time I was on board.

While I'm glad I may never again have to use a toilet that requires pumping to make it flush, I feel this trip has taught me a lot.

Not only have I learnt the basics of sailing a 68ft yacht, I can now cook a fried breakfast for 20 people at a 45-degree angle.

And, without wanting to sound too sentimental, I've renewed my passion for Liverpool.

As a Merseysider born and bred, I am more in love with this city than ever before.

Families greet their loved ones after 35,000 miles at sea (http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100regionalnews/tm_objectid=17476328%26method=full%26siteid=50061% 26headline=families%2dgreet%2dtheir%2dloved%2dones %2dafter%2d35%2d000%2dmiles%2dat%2dsea%2d-name_page.html)

Source: icLiverpool (http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100regionalnews/tm_objectid=17476331%26method=full%26siteid=50061% 26headline=heroes%2d%2dwelcome%2dfor%2dclipper%2da nd%2dher%2dcrew-name_page.html)

A lot of the crews were out and about around Albert Dock on saturday night, made for a nice feel to the evening

Home from the seas
Jul 31 2006
By Mary Murtagh, Liverpool Echo

http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/icliverpool/jul2006/6/7/C4F87320-AE7A-69A1-AAE14E38B18642D6.jpg

LIVERPOOL gave the warmest of welcomes as the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race finished at the weekend.

Thousands of wellwishers flocked to the Mersey to watch the fleet return on Saturday.

There was a carnival atmosphere among the crowds with a big gun salute, stilt walkers, a brass band, air display and champagne in honour of the returning sailors.

Tim Magee, skipper of the Liverpool 08 Clipper, said: "It is wonderful to be back home."

The westernaustralia.com clipper landed first place but the Liverpool 08 clipper came in at a very respectable fourth place.

Having crossed the finish line off the Liverpool Bar at 7am the final spurt of the race was the Liverpool 08 dash when the clipper crews pitted their wits against one another as they raced up the Mersey.

By 11.30am the distinctive white sails could be spotted on the horizon.

Parents hoisted their children on to their shoulders to get a better view.

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Each of the clippers was given an ear shatteringly-loud gun salute as they sailed down the Mersey and spectators, of all ages and from around the globe, got a close up view of the fleet as they glided into Canning half tide dock and Albert Dock.

The crews stood on deck smiling and waving to friends and relatives among the crowds cheering from the dockside.

The biggest cheers and applause were for the Liverpool 08 clipper returning home after 10 months at sea.

Among the crowd were 22 members of the Magee family to welcome the Liverpool 08 skip-per home with a banner made by his uncle Andrew.

Eight-year-old Cameron Cameron, of Anfield, bought a recorder to serenade the returning clippers.

He said: "They go really fast and I cheered the loudest for Liverpool. I was waving and cheering as they came in."

Accompanying Cameron were his grandparents Vera and Frank Blanchard, of Fazakerley.

Mrs Blanchard said: "It is a lovely day out for the family and a great way to show off the city."

http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/icliverpool/jul2006/1/5/C3EAF3B2-0F73-CAB5-F7A54D67C1F28E1C.jpg

There were cans of Cains Liverpool lager all round for the crew of Liverpool 08 as they moored up on the Albert Dock.

Crew member David Dowling, nicknamed Double D, won his place on board in a council competition.

The 34-year-old from Old Swan said: "It was very emotional coming back home. The reception was fantastic. I am so proud of the people of Liverpool for this welcome."

Waiting on the dockside were 40 of David's friends and relatives including his girlfriend Liz.

* The overall winners were western australia.com followed by Durban, New York, Liverpool 08, Uniquely Singapore, Victoria, Qingdao, Cardiff, Jersey and Glasgow.

Gun salute to welcome crews

THE round the world race finished with a resounding bang - thanks to the Army.

The heavyweight power of 103 Regiment Royal Artillery fired blank charges from two two-tonne guns as each yacht went past the Pier Head.

The guns had also been at Pier Head as the race started last September.

Lieutenant Colonel Eric Tyson, Commanding Officer, 103 Regiment Royal Artillery, said: "This is a tremendous honour for the gunners of 103 Regiment Royal Artillery (Volunteers), a north west-based Territorial Army regiment.

"Both guns came from the regiment's 208 Battery, based at the TA centre in Aigburth. To get involved in such a challenging sailing competition as the Clipper Race is a great honour.

"We are pleased to be able to do our bit to enhance the spectacle of the event."

Ten canal boats from across the country also travelled to the waterfront to join in the Clipper celebrations.

WATCH a video report of the Liverpool 08 Clipper's homecoming - click here (http://videos.icnetwork.co.uk/icwirral/clipper4.wmv)

Source: icLiverpool (http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100regionalnews/tm_objectid=17477743%26method=full%26siteid=50061% 26page=1%26headline=home%2dfrom%2dthe%2dseas-name_page.html)