City enters yacht in world race

Edinburgh is to enter a yacht in a round-the-world race.

The boat, Edinburgh Inspiring Capital, will compete in the 35,000-mile Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.

The vessel - the only Scottish boat to enter the race - will be one of 10 identical racing yachts competing in the 10-month event.

The 2009/10 race will start from the Humber on the north east coast of England on 13 September and end on 17 July next year.

One person set to take part in the race is Edinburgh businesswoman Julia Taylor.

The 33-year-old will join the boat in Qingdao, China, for the last three legs of the challenge.

She said: "For years I have watched with envy people who have taken part in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race and I'm so excited to be taking part myself in the Clipper 09/10 race.

"We are always looking for fresh, innovative ways of marketing Edinburgh internationally"

"To know that I will also be a member of the Edinburgh crew that will represent the Scottish capital around the world is a dream come true.

"I know all of the crew are delighted to be racing on Edinburgh and we can't wait to be on the start line in the Humber this September to compete and win the race for Scotland."

Organisers said the entry in the race was made possible by various Scottish businesses coming together to sponsor the yacht.

Norman Springford, chairman of Destination Edinburgh Marketing Alliance, said the yacht should help promote the city far and wide.

He said: "The Edinburgh Inspiring Capital yacht will provide us with a mobile billboard targeting a potential worldwide audience in excess of 200 million people.

"With destinations along the route, including China, Australia and the USA, we have the opportunity to promote the presence and pulse of Edinburgh as the shop window for Scotland."

Third place

The yacht will sail down the Firth of Forth into the city this summer, for a visit ahead of the race.

Tom Buchanan, Edinburgh City Council's economic development committee convenor, said he was "delighted" about the chance to promote the city and Scotland around the world.

"We are always looking for fresh, innovative ways of marketing Edinburgh internationally," he said.

"Clipper provides a sustained 12-month programme which would be difficult to emulate.

"I look forward to welcoming the Edinburgh Inspiring Capital yacht into the Port of Leith in August before she sets off on her voyage around the world."

The crew of the Glasgow: Scotland with style finished in third place after the 35,000 mile event last year.

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Clipper Round the World Yacht Race
Edinburgh City Council
Edinburgh Inspiring Capital
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