Scotland Boat Show - Clipper Race yacht Old Pulteney’s ‘home’ debut

by Clipper Round the World Yacht Race on 25 Sep 2014 A 70-foot ocean racing yacht which circumnavigated the globe in the latest edition of the famous Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, representing Scottish Whisky brand Old Pulteney, will be centre stage in front of thousands of visitors at the Scotland Boat Show, 10-12 October, being staged on the Clyde, near Glasgow.

Members of the public will have the opportunity to experience life on board the stripped down Clipper 70 yacht Old Pulteney, making its debut at the show and representing the ‘maritime malt’ distilled in the north of Scotland at Wick.

The Clipper Race is the world’s longest ocean race. Also known as one of the world’s toughest endurance challenges, it is the only event of its kind for amateur sailors. Twelve teams race on a matched fleet of identical Clipper 70s, taking almost a year to complete their circumnavigation.

Having guided the Old Pulteney team over 40,000 nautical miles around the world, skipper Patrick van der Zijden is looking forward to donning his kilt once again for the occasion:

'It will be a really proud moment to sail Old Pulteney to Scotland for its first visit. We sailed around the top of the country in the final leg of the race but never had the opportunity to stop. I very much enjoyed the excellent hospitality of our Scottish sponsors around the world and I’m now excited to experience it in person at the Scotland Boat Show.

'Myself and former Clipper Race crew are looking forward to showing potential new crew members around Old Pulteney. It will be interesting to see who will take up the challenge to represent Scotland in the next race.'

Established by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston in 1996 to allow anyone, regardless of previous sailing experience, the chance to experience the thrill of ocean racing, 40 per cent of crew have no sailing experience before they sign up to the Clipper Race challenge.

In the 2013-14 race 670 people, representing more than 40 nationalities took part. The 2015-16 edition of the race starts next summer and crew places are already 70 per cent full.

Clipper Race Crew Recruitment and Development Director, David Cusworth is holding free crew presentations on the RYA stage for those eager to find out how they can take part in the 2015-16 or 2017-18 races, at the following times:

-Friday, 10 October, 13:30 to 14:30
-Saturday, 11 October at 10:30 to 11:30
-Sunday, 12 October at 14:30 to 15:30

Old Pulteney open boat tours are free and will run daily throughout the show from 10:00 - 18:00, located at B Pontoon, number 1. Come and meet the crew, past and present to find out if the Clipper Race challenge is for Clipper Race website