THE WORLD'S BIGGEST BOOKMAKER BACKS THE TIMES CLIPPER 2000

by Sue Warden-Owen on 9 Oct 2000 Clipper Ventures plc, the AIM listed yacht racing and branded sailing
event
company, has announced that Ladbrokes is to be the official bookmaker
of The
Times Clipper 2000 round the world yacht race, which departs from
Southsea
Castle, Portsmouth, at 1200 on Sunday 15th October.

Each yacht in the eight-strong fleet is sponsored by a UK city and
crews
will be tested to the limit as they battle for the right to win The
Times
Trophy during the challenging eleven-month circumnavigation. Strong
competition is expected amongst the rival yachts, namely: Bristol
Clipper,
Glasgow Clipper, Jersey Clipper, Leeds Clipper, Liverpool Clipper,
London
Clipper, Plymouth Clipper and Portsmouth Clipper. With intense
training and
trial races almost over, Ladbrokes have issued the opening betting show
and
make the Plymouth boat 4/1 favourite to lift the trophy in Gunwharf
Quays,
Portsmouth, next September.

Andy Clifton of Ladbrokes said: "We are very excited about The Times
Clipper
2000 and our involvement in the race. Betting on yacht racing is a new
venture for us, but we are sure that it will prove popular, especially
as
people can now follow the progress of their favourite on the internet
daily."

The official race website at www.clipper-ventures.com will contain
daily
updates of the boats' progress on each leg of their marathon voyage,
but
will also offer race fans a direct link to www.ladbrokes.co.uk to allow
them
put their yachting knowledge or support for their favourite boat to
profitable use.

Latest Betting:
4/1 Plymouth
5/1 Bristol
5/1 Portsmouth
6/1 London
6/1 Jersey
6/1 Glasgow
7/1 Leeds
7/1 Liverpool

In addition, Ladbrokes is using the race to promote its international,
multi-lingual, tax free betting site, www.ladbrokes.com, by agreeing a
separate sponsorship deal with Clipper Ventures for all 8 yachts to
carry
Ladbrokes.com branded signage. Richard Cooper, managing director of
Clipper
Ventures plc said: "We are delighted to have a company with the
international reputation of Ladbrokes backing a race that will take our
yachts all around the world."