Councillor Alex MOSSON, spokesperson on Glasgow City Council Marketing and Events, performed the official naming ceremony for the city's new 68 foot round-the-world ocean racing yacht at Tower Pier, in front of the Tower of London on Thursday 13 January.
The Scottish entry in the Clipper 05-06 Round the World Yacht Race, sponsored by Glasgow City Council, is designed by Dubois Naval Architects and built by Shanghai Double Happiness Yachts in China. The new yacht is one of a ten-strong fleet to be raced by international teams of 17 crew and a skipper, setting sail from Liverpool, Great Britain on 18 September 2005.
The yacht made its first official public appearance when she sailed up The Thames to pass through Tower Bridge at midday yesterday - sailed by a complement of aspiring Scottish crew members and accompanied by bagpipes.
Nine other world-class city entries will also bring their business sponsors, international media and civic delegations to Glasgow for one of the prologue races ahead of the main Clipper 05-06 event, affording unique networking opportunities and large numbers visitors.
The city of Liverpool, European Capital of Culture in 2008, Fremantle in Western Australia, the South African port city of Durban, Singapore and the Channel Island of Jersey will also field competitive entries in the race, with sponsorship of the remaining four yachts to be announced soon.
Sir Robin KNOX-JOHNSTON, chairman of race organisers Clipper Ventures plc, said:
'Glasgow truly is a unique and cosmopolitan city that has tremendous synergy with the Clipper 05-06 Race. The Naming Ceremony for the 'Glasgow: Scotland With Style' racing yacht is another significant date in the Clipper 05-06 Race calendar. The yacht is indeed a credit to both the Dubois design team and the successful build team at Shanghai Double Happiness Yachts; we are all extremely excited about putting 'Glasgow: Scotland With Style' through her paces on the water.'
Glasgow's involvement in the nation versus nation Clipper 05-06 Race has been secured by the Glasgow City Council and Fast Track Sailing, the exclusive global commercial and media partner for the event. You can find out more about the race on the official website:
www.clipper-ventures.com
Event Media. Image: © Ingrid Abery/hotcapers.com