The 2005 - 2006 Clipper Ventures around the world yacht race commenced on the Mersey at 12:00 on Sunday September 18, 2005. Ten yachts crossed the starting line at the start of their 35,000 mile circumnavigation. The starting gun was fired by Double Olympic Gold Medallist James Cracknell from the banks of the River Mersey at the Pier Head to send the yachts off on the first stage of the race which concludes at Cascais, Portugal on September 23.
The new fleet of identical Clipper 68 yachts, each named after their international sponsor, set sail following a spectacular send off from Liverpool’s Albert Dock. Thousands of spectators lined to banks of the River Mersey to watch the yachts cross the start line after months of training and preparation. The race concludes at Liverpool on July 01, 2006. The views above were taken as the 10 Clipper Yachts departed from Canning Basin and took part in the sail-past the Liverpool waterfront let by HMS ST.ALBANS, many private craft also took part in the sail past as well as other local vessels including tugs ASHGARTH, TRAFALGAR and BROCKLEBANK, the RN Training Patrol vessels HMS BITER and HMS CHARGER and HOYLAKE lifeboat. |
