Aussies in the ring for Clipper Race

Australia's entrant in the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race is Spirit of Australia, the third consecutive Aussie crew to contest the gruelling biennial event. Complete with the iconic image of the boxing kangaroo emblazoned on her hull, Spirit of Australia is competing against nine identical, stripped down 68-foot racing yachts in the 35,000nm race around the world that started on the Humber on the east coast of England on September 13, with crews expected to return mid-July next year.

The 10 competing crews are each sponsored by an international city, region or country, including Uniquely Singapore, Qingdao and Hull & Humber, all of whom will be making return appearances, which organisers said was due to the recognition that the Clipper Race provides as a unique platform for delivering global market exposure.

Joining the race for the first time will be California, whose participation has been endorsed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger following the Clipper fleet’s inaugural visit to the state in the previous edition of the biennial race.

Of course, the Clipper Race was founded by sailing legend Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first man to sail single-handed and non-stop around the world, a feat performed in 1969. He wanted others to be able to follow in his footsteps regardless of previous sailing ability, so more than 40 per cent of those taking part in the Clipper Race will have never sailed before embarking on their pre-race training.

Sir Robin says, “I’m delighted to see that we have more Australians in this race than ever before, all keen to represent their home nation on an international stage.

“Their enthusiasm for the event has also led to our decision to extend our race route for Clipper 11-12 with an Australasian leg, incorporating Southern Ocean racing around Cape Leeuwin (Western Australia) and port visits on both sides of the country,” he said.

One Australian delighted by the prospect  of representing his nation around the world  is 36-year-old Perth property developer Michael Hanssen: “Having a boat named Spirit of Australia describes the spirit of adventure we are about to embark on; the spirit of the team we have formed already and the spirit of Australia as a nation to set new challenges. Words can’t describe how proud I am to be sailing for my country and racing into my home port in this unique event.”

Each of the teams is led by a professional skipper and in charge of Spirit of Australia is Brendan Hall (pictured) from Brisbane. “I’m really proud of my Australian roots and I’m looking forward to racing hard under the banner of my homeland,” said the 27-year-old skipper, who previously worked in IT before making sailing his full-time career.

“We have a large number of Australians on the crew, so the name Spirit of Australia is one we’re all very excited about. I can’t wait to sail the boat into Fremantle harbour and show her off to the home crowd,” Hall said.

The City of Fremantle’s Fremantle Sailing Club and Fishing Boat Harbour will once again host the fleet when the race returns this December. Fremantle Mayor, Peter Tagliaferri said visiting crews would not be disappointed: “Fremantle proved to be a popular stopover for the crews during the America’s Cup back in 1987. The City hosting the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race will once again show the international crowd our love affair with all things ocean-based.”

America’s Cup sailing legend and event director Perth 2011 ISAF World Championships, John Longley, says: “Personally, 23 years on from our successful America’s Cup campaign with Australia II, it is great to see the boxing kangaroo icon back on the water again and representing Australia in a global arena. I hope it brings them the same luck as it brought to us and Australia regains its title as Clipper Race champions.”

Kerry Sanderson, Agent General of the Government of Western Australia’s European Office, said: “I’m delighted to hear that Australia will be fielding an entry in Clipper 09-10 and that the fleet will be returning to Fremantle over Christmas and the New Year.

“The race restart from Fremantle Port has become a highlight of the local calendar and I’m sure the community will be out in force to support the crew of Spirit of Australia,” he said.

Berths for the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race have sold out, but anyone who would like to sign up for Clipper 11-12 can now register to receive an application form.

For more information, email: oceanracer@clipperroundtheworld.com or visit the Clipper Round the World website.