Clipper Round the World - City of Oakland prepares to welcome fleet

by Shelbi Okumura on 6 Mar 2012 Clipper 2011-12 Round the World Yacht Race fleet are on the second day of race nine from Qingdao to Oakland, California. Strictly Sail Pacific, the City of Oakland, Oakland Mayor Quan, local businesses, and the entire sailing community will join forces to welcome and host the 250-plus crew members of the fleet when they dock at Jack London Square, in Oakland, California.

The 10 racing yachts departed Qingdao, China yesterday morning, Sunday, March 4, to head across the pounding Pacific Ocean to complete Leg 6 of the around the world race, and are expected to arrive at Jack London Square sometime between April 2 and 7, weather permitting.

The Clipper 11-12 Race fleet of 10 identical stripped down 68-foot ocean racing yachts will be on display at the 2012 Strictly Sail Pacific Boat Show, which will take place in Jack London Square from Thursday, April 12 to Sunday, April 15. The public will have an opportunity to board a Clipper Race Yacht, talk to crew members, and take part in the official sendoff celebrations on Saturday, April 14.

'The Strictly Sail Pacific Boat Show is thrilled to host the California stopover of the prestigious Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race,' said Sail America Executive Director and Strictly Sail Pacific Producer Jonathan Banks. 'The 10 Race Yachts and 250-plus crew will add a fascinating dimension to the Strictly Sail Pacific Boat Show and will bring the excitement of ocean racing to the City of Oakland.'

The Clipper Race is the world’s longest at more than 40,000 miles and is crewed by amateurs, from all walks of life, who undergo extensive training before embarking on their challenge of a lifetime under the watchful eye of professional skippers. This is the eighth edition of the biennial event which was established in 1996 by British sailing legend Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first person to sail solo, non-stop around the world.

'Oakland celebrates a long history of trade with China, and I cannot think of a more perfect location than Strictly Sail Pacific and Jack London Square, named after the author, sailor and adventurer Jack London, to host the Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race,' said Oakland Mayor Jean Quan. 'This is an amazing opportunity for the entire Bay Area to get up-close with the crew and yachts that are competing in this one-of-a-kind race around the world.'

'This is one of the toughest and longest stages of the race,' said Clipper Race Director Jonathan Bailey. 'In previous editions, the crews have taken quite a pounding on their Pacific crossing, so they will all be looking forward to the warm welcome awaiting them in Oakland.'

Showgoers will have the opportunity to board one of the Clipper Race yachts on Thursday, April 12 and Friday April 13, and a lucky few will get a chance to join some of the crew for a VIP sail on the bay. The winning team of Leg 6 will be presented the 'Strictly Sail Pacific Clipper Cup' at the official awards ceremony set to take place on Thursday, April 12, at 6 p.m., at Jack London Square.

Strictly Sail Pacific Boat Show exhibitors and attendees; the sailing community; and the City of Oakland elected officials and businesses will join forces for the official sendoff celebration for the Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race as the fleet departs Jack London Square on Saturday, April 14, on Leg 7, to make their way under the Golden Gate Bridge and head south to the Panama Canal and onto the next stopover in New York.
Strictly Sail Pacific Clipper Round the World Yacht Race website