Clipper Race yachts provide boost for Bay of Plenty tourism ¬

Posted by Bay of Plenty Tourism on 24 November 2011 | 0 Comments

Tags: Tauranga Harbour, Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race

The eyes of the world will again be on Tauranga Harbour tomorrow – but this time for all the right reasons.

The first 68-foot ocean racing yacht competing in the Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race – Gold Coast Australia – is expected to arrive in the early hours of tomorrow morning after leaving Geraldton, Western Australia 19 days ago via Tasmania and Stewart Island, a trip of around 6000km. Gold Coast Australia ripped its mainsail last night so progress has been considerably slowed and with Derry-Londonderry, New York and Visit Finland not far behind the lead boat, it could be a nail-biting finish.

“With up to 180 crew on board, the supporting race team, the crew’s family and friends and an international film crew in tow, this is a perfect opportunity to showcase our region,” says Glenn Ormsby, Tourism Bay of Plenty general manager. “The publicity around this high-profile event will help spread the word that Bay of Plenty beaches are open, the water is clean and virtually all our attractions and activities are operating as normal.

“So come on down to Tauranga to check out these amazing yachts and see for yourself what an awesome summer destination this is.”

Clipper Race communications manager Heather Ewing says race organisers didn’t waver in their commitment to include Tauranga in the race itinerary.

“The Clipper Race organisers also brought the Around Alone race to Tauranga in 2002 and it was a hugely successful stopover for the solo professional sailors. Tauranga is such a special place for sailors with its huge harbour, white sand beaches and dramatic backdrop of Mauao. We knew it would be an amazing location for the first-ever New Zealand stopover in the Clipper Race and we had every confidence in New Zealand’s response to the Rena situation,” says Ms Ewing.

“We’ve been in regular contact with the port, marina and yacht club regarding the impact of the Rena and have been really taken by the community response, with all those thousands of people volunteering to clean up the beaches. A number of the crew have asked to help with the clean up while they are here but I understand the beaches are now open again. Our crews – including the five New Zealanders on board (there are eight taking part altogether) – are really looking forward to taking time out to explore the Bay of Plenty over the next week.”

“The Clipper organisers have been behind us 100 percent; there was never any talk of pulling out,” explains Mr Ormsby.

The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is the world’s longest yacht race and this journey is the fourth leg of voyage that left from Southampton on 31 July. The event gives paying amateur crew members the chance to sail around the world, either for the whole race or one or more legs. Race organisers own a fleet of ten identical yachts and provide qualified skippers to lead each team. Yachts are named after cities, countries or regions and crewed by people from all walks of life, representing more than 40 nationalities.

For more information on accommodation and activities in the Bay of Plenty region, visit www.bayofplentynz.com.