On the 1st September 2013, our client Perkins invited Lou from Box PR to attend the start of the 13-14 Clipper
Round the World Yacht Race.
Perkins Marine Power has supplied new engines to the
fleet of 12 Clipper 70's who will be taking part in this their first
circumnavigation.
On approaching St Katherine's Dock, the place where the
fleet have been moored in the week building up to the start, you could sense the atmosphere and
apprehension of the crews as they were clearly excited about their adventure,
but yet the emotion of leaving loved ones and friends behind was very apparent
as the crews were taking to their boats and their homes for the next few weeks
and months at sea.
We were welcomed at River Lounge by Clipper for
breakfast, tea and coffee with a balcony overlooking the dock area. Here we met
fellow sponsors from around the world all cheering on not only their boat but
the fleet as a whole. In a very orderly fashion, the first four boats entered
the dock ready to embark on their adventure, their they had the opportunity to
take in the atmosphere of the 12,000 crowd all clapping, cheering and waving
them off, Great Britain, One DLL, Derry-Londonderry-Doire and Qingdao were the
first four followed by Invest Africa, Henri LLoyd, Team Garmin, and Mission
Performance. Then the final four of Jamaica, PSP Logistics, Old Pulteney and
Switzerland to took the dock.
At this point Laura from Perkins Marine and I boarded the
sponsors VIP boat where we joined Sir Robin Know-Johnston, a well oil team from
Clipper Ventures and other distinguished guests for a trip on board Symphony to
watch the fleet sail past under tower bridge and back again before heading out of the Thames for the official start off South End on Monday 2 September.
After the boats had performed for their audience and set
off out to sea, we were invited for a sit down meal which was another
opportunity to meet other sponsors and learn about how they were looking to get
the most for their sponsorship of the race.
This was a fantastic day and a good example of how race
organisers can look after their sponsors whilst not letting their presence
overshadow the race start.
Good luck to the 12 boats, their skippers and crew, we look
forward to following your circumnavigation and welcoming you back into London
in July 2014.
Follow the fleets progress on the Clipper website
