Clipper Round the World Yacht Race – Team sponsor announced

by Clipper Ventures on 3 Jul 2015 2015-16 Round the World Yacht Race – First-time Team Sponsor IchorCoal today announced its yacht entry. The boat, which is named IchorCoal after the South African mining company, is one of twelve identical Clipper 70-foot yachts competing in the tenth edition of the world’s longest ocean race, which departs London on 30 August 2015.

IchorCoal is a thermal coal explorer, developer and miner that operates in South Africa. It’s CEO, Nonkululeko Nyembezi-Heita said: “IchorCoal has positioned itself over the last few years to grow coal production significantly and to continue participating in the ongoing consolidation of the South Africa coal sector.

“We have assembled an excellent team of people from diverse backgrounds that make up our group of experienced coal miners, process specialists and administrators that are being guided by an industry-respected leadership.

“It is the same concept of teamwork, dedication and alignment to a strategic goal by ordinary people that has been the key driver in IchorCoal’s commitment to support this year’s Clipper Race. The diverse team of people that make up our crew has the same excitement and devotion that I see in our team at IchorCoal, and this can only ensure a successful race for everybody involved.”

The company is incorporated in the Netherlands and its shares are traded on the German stock exchanges.

William Ward, CEO of race organisers Clipper Ventures PLC stated: “We are excited to welcome IchorCoal on board the Clipper 2015-16 Race. This is a strong platform for developing its domestic and international networks. As a Team Sponsor, the IchorCoal brand will be showcased around the world, helping the company to break into new markets.”

There are eight legs of the Clipper Race, of which the second will see the fleet race from Rio de Janeiro in Brazil into Cape Town, South Africa. Onboard IchorCoal will be a diverse, international crew of various different ages and from many backgrounds and professions.

The crew includes eight young South Africans from challenging backgrounds who won bursaries to join the Clipper Race crew through the Sapinda Rainbow Foundation. The youths will form a relay with each team member completing one race leg, developing skills that will help them throughout their future – personally and professionally.

IchorCoal’s attributable annual coal production is currently more than five million tonnes of coal, and its plan is to produce over 15-million tonnes a year by 2017. The thermal coal product it mines is used exclusively in the burgeoning South African power generation industry. The company’s objective is to become the leading dedicated producer of thermal coal in sub-Saharan Africa.

IchorCoal will be skippered by British sailor Darren Ladd, from Somerset, UK. Darren will be the only professional sailor on board, leading his international crew of amateurs on their 11-month 40,000-mile voyage across the world’s toughest oceans.

People from around the world and from all walks of life compete in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. 690 crew members – representing more than 40 nationalities - are set to take part in Clipper 2015-16 Race, which starts Sunday 30 August from St Katharine Docks, London. The Clipper Race fleet is made up of twelve identical 70-foot ocean racers with each one sponsored by a different destination or brand.