Clipper Race founders ring the Nasdaq Stock Market Opening Bell

by Clipper Ventures on 16 Jun 2016 The founders of the company behind the unique Clipper Round the World Yacht Race have rung the Opening Bell at the Nasdaq Stock Market this morning to mark the arrival of their fleet into New York in the 20th anniversary year of the business.

Clipper Ventures Plc runs the only global event in which novices and sailing enthusiasts alike can ‘pay-to-play’ for the privilege of circumnavigating the planet in a tough endurance adventure across the most challenging oceans known to man.

Business competitors have come and gone but over the last twenty years, since the first race started in 1996, the biennial event has gone from strength to strength to become the world’s biggest and longest ocean race. With crew numbers at record levels and a healthy portfolio of sponsors it is the most successful ocean racing business of its type in the world today, producing healthy profits with a highly sustainable long-term future.

The arrival of the company’s wholly owned and operated fleet of twelve third-generation identical one-design Clipper 70-foot ocean racing yachts (the world’s biggest fleet of large matched ocean racers) in New York is being celebrated in partnership with the Nasdaq to mark the tenth edition of the Clipper Race now nearing the end of its 2015-16 global series.

Company founders William Ward, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, rang the Opening Bell this morning.

“We have brought the business a long way in the last twenty years,” says Clipper Ventures CEO William Ward. “There is no one else operating a global ocean race like this and it has continued to grow with the latest fleet of twelve 70-foot purpose-built yachts creating expanded capacity with over 700 participants representing more than forty nationalities in the latest edition of the race. Add to that our impressive portfolio of sponsorship partners representing consumer and business brands, as well as some of the world’s leading destinations, and you can see what a successful formula it is.”

Yachting legend and Chairman Sir Robin Knox-Johnston became the first person to sail around the world solo and non-stop in 1968-69. He says the company has created a network of thousands of crew, business and government leaders around the world. “In my opinion we have created a powerful business event integrated into the adventure of ocean racing, a floating trade mission where partners activate in their most relevant markets.

“I am very pleased with what we have achieved over the last twenty years, transforming thousands of crew through their experience and boosting trade and tourism, among many other important objectives, for our partners. I think it is very symbolic to be marking our arrival in New York during our twentieth anniversary year by being invited to ring the Nasdaq Stock Market opening bell. Thank you Nasdaq.”

Clipper Ventures is heralded by the UK Government as a GREAT British success story. The race is featuring in the ‘GREAT’ campaign promoting the UK around the globe for business, investment, tourism and more. Clipper Ventures works directly with the Prime Minister’s office in London which coordinates the GREAT campaign and uses the Clipper Race to promote Britain. Prime Minister Cameron recently appointed Chief Executive William Ward as a GREAT ambassador.

The current race started from London on 30 August last year and will return there on 30 July – it has visited Brazil, South Africa, Australia, Vietnam, China, Panama as well as both US coasts. From New York it will go to Northern Ireland and the Netherlands before returning to London.

The race has developed a strong global network of destinations over the last 20 years with well-established government and business links that are of value to race partners. (The race was originally named after the19th Century tea Clippers that raced each other back to London). Olympic sailing venue Qingdao in China has the longest partnership with the race spanning six editions over twelve years and has been key in developing the city’s status as China’s ‘sailing city’ as well as promoting the wider economy and international trade.

The Clipper Race provides a novel opportunity for partners to engage with their existing and prospective customers and contacts in a stimulating environment, whether sampling sailing and racing or a dockside event.

During partner activation in New York, brand sponsors such as Garmin and UK FinTech company LMAX Exchange, or destinations such as GREAT Britain, Visit Seattle and Da Nang - Viet Nam, will hold a wide range of events on and off the water. It is so much more than a floating billboard and although the crew is very diverse there are also many executives and business owners aboard too.

- Nasdaq Briefing (3-5pm Thursday June 16th) The Clipper Race will be sharing its global perspective, with specially invited guests this afternoon at the Nasdaq MarketSite, on market trends and opportunities observed in its engagement with businesses and countries on the race route and also share leadership lessons that can be translated from winning teams in tough conditions on the water in the Clipper Race back into companies facing challenging business environments in global markets.