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Clipper Round The World Yacht Race launches in London | Clipper Round The World Yacht Race launches in London |
(34 minutes later) | |
The Clipper Round The World Yacht Race, which sees 12 teams spend a year travelling the globe, has set off from London with a parade along the Thames. | |
The world's longest ocean race - at 40,000 nautical miles - features 700 participants over its eight stages. | The world's longest ocean race - at 40,000 nautical miles - features 700 participants over its eight stages. |
The first leg, which launched at St Katharine Docks, 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 set off at 14:15 BST from St Katharine Docks and passed under Tower Bridge at 15:30 to the upper pool before beginning the parade along the Thames. | |
Racing will start off Southend at 12:30 BST on Monday. | |
Teachers, doctors, IT workers, students and an Ultimate Fighting Championship fighter are all among those taking part. | 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. | The youngest participant is 18 and the oldest is 74. |
More than half of those taking part - 441 people - are from Britain. | More than half of those taking 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. |
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. | 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. |