Young urged to apply for Clipper sail-training bursaries

Organisers of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race have appealed to young people in Derry or Strabane who are over 18 and currently out of work to apply for a bursary to train off the south of England in ocean-racing yachts.

The "Your Next Chapter" bursary is offering four places on the training course, which takes place over four weeks at the Clipper Race headquarters in Gosport, Hampshire.

Mayor of Derry Cllr Brenda Stevenson (SDLP) has urged local unemployed people who are “interested in a challenge of a lifetime” to avail of the opportunity.

‘Huge impact’

"The Legenderry Maritime Festival, which saw the Clipper Race boats captivate the city, had a huge impact on the people of the city and district, and we aredelighted to continue with our legacy commitment and build on the interest in sailing by offering this bursary opportunity," Ms Stevenson said.

A former bursary winner, Shauna O’Neill, sailed in the Clipper 2011-12 race on board the Derry-Londonderry entry from the Brazilian capital, Rio de

Janeiro, to Cape Town in South Africa.

After she came ashore, she found work with the Loughs Agency and is now with the Children in Crossfire charity.

Positive influence

Similar bursary places have been offered to other participants, and applicants have spoken of its positive influence.

The Clipper race is run by Clipper Ventures plc, which was founded by veteran round world yachtsman Sir Robin Knox Johnston and William Ward to open up sailing to “everyone, regardless of age or experience”.

Participants, who need have no previous experience, raise money to train for and sail in the race, or avail of bursaries for same.

Derry has participated in and hosted the race in 2012 and 2014. The city will make its third team entry in 2015-16.

The bursary scheme currently run by Derry City Council involves training only, with places valued at £5,000 (€6,890).

Closing date for applications is March 9th, 2015, and more details are on derrycity.gov.uk/clipperrace