Sailing Skills

Derry City Council’s Clipper Round the World 11-12 Race Derry~Londonderry Bursary participants have been learning the essential skills in navigation and sailing thanks to a five-day intensive training course, led by Clipper training co-ordinator Jim Dobey.

The intensive training course, which has been taking place throughout the week with the bursary representatives – Niall Boyle, Matthew Plummer, Padraig McConway, Shauna O’Neill and Shane McClure – is fully accredited and qualifies them to carry out a range of duties and responsibilities on board any boat or sailing vessel.

Jim Dobey said the training course was essential in preparing the candidates for the challenge that lies ahead of them and adequately prepares them for a range of scenarios and incidents at sea.

Shane McClure, who will take part in the next stage of the Clipper race on board the Derry~Londonderry yacht says the training was extremely interesting and informative. He is confident the skills outlined in the course will prepare him for his challenge which begins at the end of February.

Shane, a keen water sports enthusiast, has been actively involved in intensive kayaking and white water rafting sessions to help him prepare for boarding the Clipper yacht and he is very much looking forward to the challenge and the opportunity to represent his city.

Niall Boyle who took part in the first leg of the race and has since secured a work placement through KICKSTART to work with Londonderry Port and Harbour Commission said the skills learned on the course were also useful in for his work environment.

Friends and families of the Derry~Londonderry crew have been on a high following the teams second podium placing in the last stage of the race and are confident that the team are on a winning run.

Mayor Maurice Devenney said: “The bursary programme has provides a great opportunity for local people to get involved in Clipper 11-12. We look forward to meeting the teams and fleet in July this year as the race arrives in the city. We’re very proud of our Legenderry Crew and wish them best wishes as they celebrate their podium success in Singapore this weekend”.

To follow the Derry~Londonderry team’s progress in the Clipper race visit www.clipperroundtheworld.com. Or follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/DerryLondonderryClipper

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