The Clipper fleet's arrival in Liverpool at the end of their 35,000-mile circumnavigation was part of the city's European Capital of Culture 2008 celebrations and thousands of people lined the banks of the Mersey to give the yachts a spectacular welcome back.
For the non-professional crew onboard the ten 68-foot ocean racing yachts, the return to Liverpool's Albert Dock represented the end of a challenge of a lifetime. Crossing the finish line to claim the title of Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race champions was, New York.
Closely followed in second place by Hull & Humber. Third place went to the Scottish entry, Glasgow, which was the only boat in the ten-strong fleet to be led by a female skipper, Hannah Jenner.
Photographs WWI/photographer courtesy onEditionLabels: 2008, Clipper, sailing, World
Having visited La Rochelle, Salvador, Durban, Fremantle, Singapore, Qingdao, Hawaii, the west coast of the USA, the Caribbean, New York and Cork, contestants in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, which started in Liverpool last September, are just hours away from their return to Liverpool.
The fleet of 10 ocean racing yachts, each backed by a different international city and crewed by non-professional sailors, will have covered 35,000 miles to complete their circumnavigation; the nautical equivilent of climbing Everest.
For the challenge of a lifetime, you can sign up for the Clipper 09-10
Round the World Yacht Race.
Labels: 2008, Clipper, Liverpool, sailing, UK, World
