Next two Clipper races to stop in Qingdao

Clipper Ventures Plc has signed an agreement with the Olympic Sailing Committee of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games for the Chinese city of Qingdao to host the Clipper 09-10 and Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Races in its Olympic Sailing Centre.

The deal, which follows a successful eight-day stopover for the Clipper 07-08 fleet in the city that is to host the sailing events in the upcoming 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, also includes sponsorship of a Qingdao entry in both Clipper 09-10 and Clipper 11-12. The value of the deal has not been disclosed.

On Sunday the ten-strong international fleet competing in the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race crossed the start line in Fuschan Bay, Qingdao, signalling the start of Race 7 of the series which will take them to Hawaii.