A Northern Irish skipper is leading the Clipper Round the World Yacht race, as a record-breaking sailor calls for the major tournament to stop off in Belfast for the first time.
Oli Irvine and his team are topping the leaderboard of the global challenge which kicked off in August last year.
Oli Irvine
The 11-month marathon spans 40,000 nautical miles with stop offs in locations from Seattle in the north west US, to South Korea on the other side of the Pacific Ocean.
It is designed for non-professional sailors and last stopped off in Northern Ireland in 2016 after sailors docked in Londonderry.
However, renowned sailor Sir Robin Knox-Johnston has made calls for the race to make its first ever visit to Northern Ireland’s capital.
Sir Robin is known for becoming the first person to sail solo and non-stop around the world in the Sunday Times’ Golden Globe Race.
Sir Robin Know-Johnstone
He crossed the finish line in April 1969 after approximately 10 months at sea and went on to become the founder of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.
The 87-year-old cited “deeply personal” reasons for seeking to bring the race to Belfast amid talks for a possible date in 2028.
“To see Belfast host the race would be a personal highlight, bringing the world’s best round-the-world experience to the waters I loved as a young boy,” Sir Robin said.
“My grandfather would be so proud to see Clipper come to Belfast and for me it’s something I feel deeply personal about. Let’s make it happen.”
Jackie Batton, Gerard Rice, director of LORAG and Bob Harper
A spokesperson for the Clipper race estimated a cash injection of up to £15.2m in visitor spending for Belfast and approximately 350,000 visitors over a 10-day period.
Tessa Breslin, a former NI contestant in the 2024 Clipper Race, highlighted how the Belfast leg would benefit the local community here.
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She said: “Having experienced the endurance, skill, and spirit of adventure that the Clipper Race demands firsthand, I know what a massive thing this would be for our local people.
“This event wouldn’t just be a race; it would be an inspiration for the next generation, showcasing Belfast as a world-class destination and proving that our city belongs on the global stage.”
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Local ailing veteran Bob Harper said: “In Northern Ireland, we are extremely proud of our sailing community. We have a heritage that is second to none, and bringing the Clipper Race to Belfast would be a massive moment for everyone and our local clubs.
“Through my work with Sailability, I’ve seen how sailing can transform lives by being inclusive. Belfast is on the up, and this event would firmly establish it as a true best-in-class destination.”
