Liverpool dream to make Mersey the clipper race home

Jul 5 2008 by Laura Sharpe, Liverpool Daily Post

“Our exposure as a city has been big and when we were in China securing our place on the Shanghai Expo they were interested in the benefits of the race.

“The business sector has seen real benefits and I hope they and organisations such as The Mersey Partnership and the city region as a whole can help the council pay for a future race.”

Last night, at a reception in St George’s Hall to welcome representatives from the host ports to Liverpool for the return of the 2007-08 race, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, founder and chairman of the Clipper Race, said he saw “no obstacle to it coming back” to the city.

“Liverpool has been a home for the last three races and it certainly feels like home,” he said.

“There’s nothing in place at the moment, but that’s just because we haven’t talked about it properly yet.

“I’ve said to Cllr Bradley the city just needs to get through this year and take a deep breath, then we can talk.”

Last night, the Liverpool 08 team were fighting for third place into their home port 10 months after they set sail from the Mersey in September last year.

Early this morning, the Clipper Fleet finished the final race from Cork to Liverpool bringing the exhilarating 14-leg race to a close.

And, at 11.30am today, the families and friends of crews from around the world will welcome home the fleet of 10 yachts.

The fleet will come into sight as they race from the Bar to the Dock in a 30-mile fun race, the Liverpool 08 dash.

Tourism bosses are predicting a busy weekend all round with one of the world’s largest cruise liners, the Grand Princess, docking at the Pier Head for the second time today.

Martin King, director of tourism at The Mersey Partnership, said: “The Clipper crews are sure to receive an enthusiastic an emotional welcome back to Liverpool on what promises to be another fantastic weekend in our destination.

“We know the city centre and waterfront hotels are very, very busy indeed and the return of

the Grand Princess to the cruise berth will attract even more visitors and sightseers as well as more than 2,300 passengers on board.

“We have said before that no other destination anywhere can offer what we can in our year as Capital of Culture.”

Joe Edge, director at the Albert Dock, said: “The return of the Clippers is a key milestone in the Culture Year, and we’re geared up and ready to welcome the many visitors at the Dock this weekend.

“This is another fantastic opportunity to showcase the waterfront’s potential and really give everyone a weekend to remember.”

As it stood late last night, New York were leading the final Cork to Liverpool leg and looked to have secured victory in the overall race.

But just 14 miles separated the entire fleet as they battled for the final three podium places.

New York and Hull and Humber were hoping for the top two slots, although third place was too close to call.

The skipper of Liverpool 08, Ben Galloway, said he couldn’t wait to dock in Liverpool and meet the expectant crowds.

“We’ve seen the receptions the other teams have had around the world, but we know coming home to Liverpool will be absolutely fantastic and people will turn out in force to see the fleet coming back down the Mersey.”

Crew member, Lisa Pover, a taxi driver from Liverpool, added: “I’ve loved doing this, but I think when I see those Liver Birds on the Liver Building, when we’re coming back down the Mersey, I’m going to be speechless. It doesn’t happen very often, but I think I’ll be lost for words.”

The first boats were due to cross the finish line at the Bar Buoy at 1am today.

Race director Joff Bailey said: “The racing is incredibly close out there with only three miles separating the top six boats.

“It’s going to be a tight finish.”

OPINION: PAGE 6

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