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Clipper Round The World Yacht Race to launch in London | Clipper Round The World Yacht Race to launch in London |
(about 13 hours later) | |
The opening ceremony has begun in London for the Clipper Round The World Yacht Race, which sees 12 teams spend a year travelling the globe. | |
The world's longest ocean race - at 40,000 nautical miles - features 700 participants over its eight stages. | |
The first leg, which launches at St Katherine's Dock, will see teams travel 6,000 miles to Brazil's Rio De Janeiro. | The first leg, which launches at St Katherine's Dock, will see teams travel 6,000 miles to Brazil's Rio De Janeiro. |
On each of the 70ft yachts, only the skipper is professional. The other crew members are all amateurs. | On each of the 70ft yachts, only the skipper is professional. The other crew members are all amateurs. |
Around 40% of participants had never sailed when they signed up, organisers say. | Around 40% of participants had never sailed when they signed up, organisers say. |
Boats are due to set off at 14:15 BST from St Katherine's Dock and pass under Tower Bridge at 15:30, which will be opened for the occasion. | |
Teachers, doctors, IT workers, students and an Ultimate Fighting Championship fighter are all among those taking part. The youngest participant is 18 and the oldest is 74. | Teachers, doctors, IT workers, students and an Ultimate Fighting Championship fighter are all among those taking part. The youngest participant is 18 and the oldest is 74. |
More than half of those expected to take part - 441 people - are from Britain. | More than half of those expected to take part - 441 people - are from Britain. |
Some crew members will be on board the yachts for the whole course of the journey, while others will compete only in certain stages. | Some crew members will be on board the yachts for the whole course of the journey, while others will compete only in certain stages. |
Eight stages | Eight stages |
After travelling to Brazil, the yachts will go on to South Africa, then to Albany in Western Australia. | After travelling to Brazil, the yachts will go on to South Africa, then to Albany in Western Australia. |
From there, participants will sail to Queensland, and on to Vietnam and China. | From there, participants will sail to Queensland, and on to Vietnam and China. |
They will continue to Seattle and from there to New York via Panama. | |
The final leg will see the yachts travel from New York back to London, where they are due at the end of July next year. | The final leg will see the yachts travel from New York back to London, where they are due at the end of July next year. |