Southampton has beaten Portsmouth and other rival south coast cities to host the return of the prestigious Clipper round the world yacht race.
Race organisers have today confirmed that the world’s longest yacht race will finish at Ocean Village next July – just five days before the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
The ten-strong international Clipper Race fleet set out from Southampton four months ago to complete a full 41,000-mile circumnavigation of the world’s oceans.
Thousands of people turned out to wave the crews farewell before the fleet headed out from Ocean Village into Southampton Water.
The boats crossed the historic Royal Yacht Squadron start line in the Solent under escort from Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious.
A similar spectacular is already being planned by Southampton City Council, Ocean Village owners MDL Marinas and race organisers Clipper Ventures to welcome the fleet home.
About 500 people from all walks of life, aged 18 to over 70, from more than 40 nationalities, are taking part in the Clipper Race, the world’s longest yacht race, which this week arrived in New Zealand.
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