13-January-2010

Uniquely Singapore homecoming and welcome celebrations at Keppel Bay for Clipper Round the World Yacht Race Fleet

Singaporeans and visitors alike can join in the colourful celebrations at Keppel Bay to welcome the Uniquely Singapore yacht and the rest of the fleet in the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race on Saturday, 23 January 2010.

On this leg of the Clipper Race, from Geraldton, Western Australia, to Singapore, the 10 international ocean racing yachts are competing for the Uniquely Singapore cup, sponsored by Keppel Corporation. It is the first of two races in Leg 4 which will continue from Singapore to Qingdao, China.

Guest of Honour, Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, will present the Uniquely Singapore Cup to the winning team. Senior Minister Goh named the Uniquely Singapore yacht in 2005 when she made her debut in the international race.

Keppel Corporation (Keppel) is the Team Sponsor of the Uniquely Singapore and Marina at Keppel Bay is the Host Port for the Singapore Stopover, with the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) as Team Partner for the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race. This is the third time that Keppel and STB are working together in support of Uniquely Singapore.

Keppel has also sponsored four Keppel Ambassadors on different legs to crew onboard Uniquely Singapore as part of its people development initiatives.

The 35,000-mile race, which began in the UK in September 2009, is inclusive where crew members are drawn from all walks of life. Many have no sailing experience before embarking on their pre-race training programme. The Keppel Ambassadors have joined more than 40 others from 12 nationalities and ranging in age from 19 to 62 years old to represent Singapore in the race.

“The international following and goodwill that the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race continue to generate will help promote Singapore as Asia’s destination to live, work and play. Keppel is happy to contribute to the vibrancy of this southern waterfront with such international events at the Marina at Keppel Bay on Keppel Island.

“The Uniquely Singapore crew has demonstrated a Can-Do spirit, strong teamwork and passion, which are very much aligned with Keppel’s core values. To skipper Jim and crew who are gunning for a podium finish coming into home port, we want to say that we are proud of you and are behind you all the way,” said Ms Wang Look Fung, General Manager of Group Corporate Communications, Keppel Corporation Limited.

Mr Rostam Umar, Executive Director of Communications and Human Resources & Organisational Development, Singapore Tourism Board, said, “We welcome the crew members of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race to Singapore. We see the race as a platform to showcase Singapore as a destination for international sporting events and where visitors have the opportunity to enjoy many exciting leisure experiences. Events such as Clipper Round the World Yacht Race strengthen Singapore’s image as one of Asia’s leading entertainment capitals with a diverse calendar of events year round.”

Uniquely Singapore is helmed by Singapore-born Skipper Jim Dobie, whose present crew includes female Keppel Ambassador Karan Teo as well as Nicole Ho, who is circumnavigating round the world.

The race was founded by legendary yachtsman, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first man to sail solo and non-stop around the world.

Sir Robin, who will be at Marina at Keppel Bay to join Senior Minister Goh in welcoming the fleet to Singapore, said, “We are very much looking forward to the colourful and spectacular welcome we know you are planning. Marina at Keppel Bay set the bar very high with the stunning welcome for the teams during the last edition of the race and the crews are very much looking forward to experiencing the warm and uniquely Singaporean hospitality.”

The Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race had set sail from the Humber, England, on 13 September 2009. Spanning ten months, the race will see the international Clipper Race fleet cross five continents and visit 14 ports, including Rio, Brazil; Qingdao, China; and California, USA.

For further information, please contact

For Keppel Corporation Limited

Teri Liew
Senior Manager
Keppel Group Corporate Communications
DID: (65) 6413 6425
Email: teri.liew@kepcorp.com


For Singapore Tourism Board

Ms Valerie Won
Management Executive, Business Travel & MICE Communications
Singapore Tourism Board
DID: (65) 6831 3813
E-mail: valerie_won@stb.gov.sg

Or you may also reach the STB Media Hotline at 9011 2071.


For Clipper Ventures

Heather Ewing
Communications Manager
Singapore Mobile: (65) 9122 1884
Roaming Mobile: +44 (0) 7792 408 695
Email: hewing@clipper-ventures.com