Clipper fleet prepares for Race 12 start
Race 12 of Clipper 07-08 is a 570-mile sprint from New York to Halifax, Nova Scotia. The ten teams will slip their lines tomorrow morning at 8:00 hours (local time) and head out into New York's Hudson River where they will perform a parade of sail in front of the city's iconic Manhattan skyline and statue of Liberty. The fleet will then motor out to Ambrose Lighthouse and Race 12 will begin with a Le Mans start.
'Hull & Humber in front of the Manhattan skyline - Clipper 07-08'
Clipper
Ventures Plc ©
Tuesday was a busy media day for the New York Stopover and began early for Jamaica skipper, Simon Bradley, as he headed down to a breakfast press briefing laid on by the Jamaica Tourist Board.
Nova Scotia were then paid a visit by CW 11 Morning News, New York's Emmy-Award Winning Morning Show, who toured the boat and sampled local delicacies prepared by Nova Scotian chef Alain Bosse.
Media representatives from a number of New York's travel and sports outlets then climbed onboard the winning home port boat for a sail on the Hudson River. They were shown the ropes by skipper Duggie Gillespie and several Clipper crew representatives including New York residents Justyn Comer and Doris Severinghaus.
Today was also a busy day of corporate sails, which began as Liverpool 08 heading out into the Hudson with guests from Marlow Ropes, the official suppliers of the running rigging for Clipper 07-08. Hull & Humber took out guests from the team sponsor Yorkshire Forward, Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper had guests from Glasgow City Marketing Bureau and for Jamaica it was guests from the Jamaica Tourist Board including Jamaica's Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett.
The corporate sails continued in the afternoon as Nova Scotia headed out of North Cove Marina with a number of distinguished guests from the province including the Minster of Tourism, the honourable Bill Dooks. Joining them on the water was Uniquely Singapore who had onboard a number New York's business, travel and lifestyle media following an invitation extended by Singapore's Tourist Board.
This evening Nova Scotia skipper, Rob McInally, and his crew attended a lavish reception laid on by the government of Nova Scotia which took place in the spectacular Model Room of New York's prestigious Yacht Club. The crew were welcomed by the Honourable Bill Dooks, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage and the Honourable Angus MacIsaac, Deputy Premier and Minister of Economic Development for Nova Scotia. The crew were entertained by local music and dined on exquisite Nova Scotian cuisine including the lobster that the region is famed for. Amongst the distinguished guests were Lord Mayor of Kingston-upon-Hull, Elaine Garland, and Minister of Tourism for Jamaica, Edmund Bartlett.
Whilst many of the crews made the most of being in the heart of New York city yesterday evening to experience its infamous nightlife, most opted for a quieter alternative this evening in order to be well rested ahead of the race start tomorrow.
Berths are now available for the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race. Those interested in participating in the world's only round the yacht race for non-professionals can find out more by contacting Clipper Ventures on +44 (0) 2392 526000 or email oceanracer@clipperroundtheworld.com
by Clipper event media 
Sunshine Coast, Bundaberg, QLD
