See the world’s biggest yacht race start in Southend!

August 24, 2015 by Southend Borough Council

See the world’s biggest yacht race start in Southend!

Monday 24th August 2015

Waves of excitement are building for the fabulous fund raising round-the-world yacht race starting in Southend at 12:30pm on Monday 31st August.

This thrilling event is the beginning of the first leg of the 40,000 mile Clipper Race in aid of the children’s charity, UNICEF.

Battling for success will be 12 identical 70-foot yachts, each with a professional skipper and crews with a thirst for adventure.

Normally the domain of seasoned pros, this supreme sailing challenge is being taken on by ordinary, everyday people.

Having completed a rigorous training course, participants of all backgrounds team up to work together for this unparalleled adventure.

To celebrate the race start on Monday 31st August, Southend residents and visitors are being offered a free tea or coffee in the Pier café for every walk and ride or train return ticket.

Customers will just need to show their ticket receipts in the café for these to be stamped and exchanged.

Meanwhile, children can join in the fun with the help of a face painter and hair braider on the Pier that day too.

Executive Councillor for Enterprise, Tourism and Economic Development, Councillor Graham Longley said: “We are very honoured that the first leg of this amazing event will begin here at Southend.

“It will put us even more firmly on the international map as the place which heralds the dawn of excitement, where big things start.

“We hope as many people as possible will come and enjoy the most impressive sight of 12 large yachts ploughing through the waves, and that they will then follow the progress of the Clipper Race with interest, as it crosses six continents, visits 16 ports and takes 325 days to complete.”

This is the tenth annual Clipper Race. Over the coming days, crews will be gathering at St Katharine’s Dock, London, for the ceremonial launch on Sunday 30th August, before the race itself begins at Southend on Monday 31st August.

For more details about the race, please visit: https://www.clipperroundtheworld.com