Sep 17, 2007 - The final entry in the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race has been unveiled as Nova Scotia in an official ceremony at Liverpool’s historic Albert Dock. The 68-foot racing yacht will carry the name of the Canadian province to 14 ports around the world and to a global audience of more than 200 million people on her 35,000-mile race across some of the toughest oceans.

Nova Scotia will be one of ten yachts competing in the race, each of them acting as a floating ambassador around the world for its city or regional sponsor. The international line up competing in Clipper 07-08 includes Liverpool 08, Durban 2010 and Beyond, westernaustralia2011.com, Hull & Humber, Uniquely Singapore, Qingdao, Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper, Jamaica and New York.

The Clipper fleet will also visit Nova Scotia in early June 2008 ahead of the final long race. The fleet will arrive in Yarmouth, a historic seaport at the province’s southwestern tip. It will then visit Halifax, the province’s capital which is renowned around the globe for hosting world-class sailing events. The fleet will then move north to Sydney on Cape Breton Island before heading back across the Atlantic towards a heroes’ welcome in Liverpool on 5 July.

With 27 nationalities represented among the 400 race crew and four different nations sailing on Nova Scotia alone, Clipper 07-08 will be a truly global event. Up to 17 crew members from varying backgrounds sail on each yacht at any one time and they all put their everyday lives on hold for up to ten months to take part in the Clipper Race.

Circumnavigator Dave McPhee, 41, one of nine Canadians onboard Nova Scotia, is a big fan of the province and, in particular, of Halifax. The safety training coordinator from Squamish, British Columbia, says, "It’s so exciting to be going there. Nova Scotia is a great place - very friendly. And it has such a great maritime tradition."

The skipper of Nova Scotia, Rob McInally, is the only professional sailor on board. The son of a merchant seaman, he has the ocean in his blood, having followed in his grandfather’s footsteps and served in the Royal Navy before making ocean racing his career. Rob’s father, a Scotsman, has spent much time in Halifax and Rob says, "It’s a place that has meant so much to my father, so it is fantastic to be finally going there." He continues, "I am proud to take a Canadian team there and am very much looking forward to enjoying the warm hospitality extended to the Clipper 2002 fleet when they had to take shelter there to avoid a hurricane."

The crews have spent the last months preparing for the race ahead and, prior to signing up, around 40 percent had no previous sailing experience. Each one of them has completed comprehensive Clipper Training overseen by Clipper Chairman and legendary solo sailor Sir Robin Knox-Johnston.

Speaking at the official naming ceremony for Nova Scotia Sir Robin, who did not visit Halifax when the Clipper 2002 fleet took shelter there, said, "All the reports from those who did visit said what a smashing place it is. I am absolutely delighted that Nova Scotia has decided to join the race. I know the crews are really going to enjoy Halifax. Our crews want meet other yachtsmen from around the world and it’s a wonderful opportunity. So we’re really looking forward to Halifax next year and this time I’m going to make sure I’m there. Welcome Nova Scotia to the Clipper fleet."

Also in attendance at the ceremony was the province of Nova Scotia’s Deputy Minister of Tourism, Kelliann Dean. She said, "The catalyst for Nova Scotia’s participation in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race was a stormy day in 2003 when the Clippers in that year’s race found a safe haven in Halifax. And, boy, are we glad you found us. We were happy to provide shelter from the storm back then and we’re honoured that Clipper has recognised our province’s ability to host the fleet again - this time in Yarmouth, Halifax and Sydney."

"Being a part of the international Clipper race is a great opportunity to promote Nova Scotia to an audience of over 200 million people as an ideal destination for sailing, outdoor adventures, and a host of other unique experiences tied to our culture of life by the sea," said Len Goucher, Minister of the Nova Scotia Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage. "We look forward to welcoming the Clipper fleet to Yarmouth, Halifax and Sydney next summer and I invite everyone who's following the race to visit Nova Scotia and to learn more about us at novascotia.com.

Grant MacDonald, General Manager, Events Halifax was at today’s launch in Liverpool and was thrilled with the enthusiasm of the Skipper, crew and spectators. "Today is the start of a fantastic partnership between our local supporters, which include the Nova Scotia Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), South West Shore Development Agency and Destination Halifax and Clipper Ventures," said MacDonald. "We are very excited about bringing the world’s longest sporting event to Canada. We have a reputation of hosting very successful world class events and are proud to be able to add Clipper 07-08 to our resume."

The Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race starts on Sunday 16 September 2007 from Liverpool, UK.

Berths for the next race, Clipper 09-10 are now available.
For more information on applying to become a crew member, contact:
Clipper Ventures on +44 (0)2392 526000 or
email David Cusworth, Clipper Crew Recruitment Manager at clipper-ventures.com.

Clipper 07-08 route:
Liverpool - La Rochelle - Salvador - Durban - Fremantle - Singapore - Qingdao - Hawaii -California - Panama - Jamaica - New York - Halifax - Cork - Liverpool

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- The Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race begins in September 2007 in Liverpool. The race lasts ten months and takes in 35,000 miles of ocean racing. The overall race is divided into seven legs and a total of 15 individual races. Points are accumulated according to each race position, and the yacht with the highest total at the finish wins the race trophy.

- Media berths are available for journalists wishing to experience the race first-hand.

For media information or to arrange interviews, please contact:
Heather Ewing, Communications Coordinator
Tel: +44 (0) 2392 526000; Mobile: +44 (0) 7792 408 695
Email: clipper-ventures.com

Zoe Williamson, Communications Coordinator.
Tel: +44 (0) 2392 526000; Mobile: +44 (0) 7793 417 751
Email: clipper-ventures.com

Nova Scotia contacts:
Adèle Poirier, Communications Advisor
Nova Scotia Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage
Tel: (902) 424-4819; Mobile: (902) 476-7126
Email: gov.ns.ca

Grant MacDonald, General Manager, Events Halifax
Mobile: (902) 476-6411
Email: TradeCentreLimited.com

Patricia Lyall, President & CEO, Destination Halifax
Tel: (902) 429-4574
Email: desinationhalifax.com

Frank Anderson, Chief Executive Officer, South Shore Development Authority
Tel: (902) 742-3210
Email: swsda.com

For further information log on to www.clipperroundtheworld.com

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