Yachts set sail for Clipper race

The race will cover 35,000 miles before returning to Liverpool

Hundreds of sailors have embarked on a round-the-world boat race which set sail from Liverpool docks.

Ten 68ft-long (21m) yachts hoisted their sails at 1500 BST for the start of the 35,000 mile global Clipper race.

Each of the 10 yachts is crewed by non-professional sailors and led by a professional skipper, making it unique in world yacht racing.

The fleet is due to arrive back in Liverpool next July for the Capital of Culture celebrations.

Tourism boost

The Clipper race, which is celebrating its sixth anniversary, is divided into seven legs and a total of 14 individual races, with ports of call including Durban, Singapore and New York.

Points are accumulated according to each race position, and the yacht with the highest total at the finish wins the race trophy - the Clipper Cup.

Each of the yachts battling it out for pole position is named after a different world city, with Liverpool represented by the 'Liverpool 08' Clipper.

Council leader Warren Bradley said: "This is the third time that Liverpool has acted as host city, and our involvement in the race has been a great international platform for promoting Liverpool and raising the city's profile.

"The race, which finishes next summer, promises to be one of the maritime highlights of our Capital of Culture calendar, coming just before the start of the Tall Ships' Race."