Thousands line Mersey to salute the Clipper sailors

Sep 5 2005

by Ed Casson, Daily Post

THOUSANDS of well-wishers gathered at Liverpool Docks yesterday to welcome the fleet of Clipper yachts competing in this year's round-the-world race. The fleet, including the city's own Liverpool '08 Clipper, sailed down the River Mersey in preparation for the start of the prestigious race on September 18. Yachts representing 10 nations, including Australia, Singapore and South Africa, will be taking part in the race. Each has a crew of 17 amateurs and a professional captain, with 27-year-old Tim Magee from the Isle of Wight skippering the Liverpool '08 Clipper on its 35,000-mile round trip. Story continues ADVERTISEMENT The Liverpool '08 crew includes three amateurs from Liverpool who won their places through a city council competition. Claire Daley, 25, from Garston; Peter Mulcahy, 45, from Childwall; and David Dowling, 33, from Old Swan, have undergone intensive training to get ready for the race. Claire, a former teacher at St Edward's in West Derby, said: "It was an amazing feeling just to come down the River Mersey and have so many people, including family and friends, cheering us. "We all feel very proud to be representing our city and the people of Liverpool pulled out all the stops to support us. "I'm taking part in the first leg from Liverpool to Portugal and then Brazil, and it really is an honour. "The training has had its highs and lows, but overall it has been very enjoyable." Peter, who is sailing the sixth leg of the race from Canada, past Panama and to Curacao off the coast of Venezuela told the Daily Post: "We all had a lump in our throats sailing in with everyone clapping and cheering, and the race hasn't even started yet.

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