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23-January-2010 Rousing Uniquely Singapore welcome at Keppel Bay for Clipper Round the World Yacht Race Fleet
Pulsating beats of 41 drummers and more than 1,000 spectators, families and fans greeted the Clipper Race fleet when the international crew sailed into Marina at Keppel Bay this morning.
Guest of Honour, Dr Lee Boon Yang, Chairman of Keppel Corporation Limited (Keppel) joined the rousing welcome celebrations accompanied by Mr Choo Chiau Beng, Keppel’s CEO and other distinguished guests which included ambassadors.
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.
At the ceremony, Chairman Lee presented the Uniquely Singapore Cup, sponsored by Keppel, to Cape Breton Island which crossed the finish line in the Singapore Straits at 0914 local time on Sunday, 17 January 2010. It beat Spirit of Australia by just 15 minutes while Jamaica Lightning Bolt was third to cross the line.
Token trophies were also presented to the other teams including the crew from Cork, whose yacht had run aground when it hit a submerged reef off Indonesia. All crew members were safely transferred to California and Team Finland.
The international ocean racing yachts were competing in the first of two races in Leg 4 from Geraldton, Western Australia, to Singapore, which will continue to Qingdao, China after the 10-day Singapore stopover. The Clipper Race fleet will sail off from Marina at Keppel Bay on Tuesday, 2 February 2010.
“With the slew of exciting waterfront developments and activities at Keppel Bay, HarbourFront and Sentosa, we expect more international yachtsmen and boaters to be drawn to Singapore. This is where Marina at Keppel Bay, with its premium berths,RYA-accredited sailing academy and variety of services and facilities, will play its part to promote Singapore’s attractiveness as a leading destination and sailing hub in Asia.
“We share the vision with Singapore Tourism Board to showcase the Uniquely Singapore brand to the world and to promote Singapore as a ‘must visit’ global city,” said Dr Lee Boon Yang, Chairman of Keppel Corporation.
Ms Aw Kah Peng, Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Board, said, “Hosting top-tier sporting events such as the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race galvanises Singapore's vision to be a centre for sporting excellence while bolstering our standing as a compelling destination for major international sporting events.
“This year, Singapore will be cast into the international spotlight once again when it hosts the inaugural Youth Olympic Games and the third instalment of the Formula One race. These events collectively showcase our city as a vibrant city to live, work and play in, and strengthen our image as an appealing lifestyle destination. We look forward to creating unique and authentic experiences for all visitors.”
Four Keppel Ambassadors are sponsored as part of Keppel’s people development initiatives and 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.
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. It offers a unique opportunity for people from all walks of life to take on the challenges of ocean racing. Many who sign up to take part have no sailing experience before they begin their pre-race Clipper Training.
Sir Robin said, “This is the third time that there has been a Uniquely Singapore entry in the Clipper Race and each time, the arrival ceremony is more staggering.
“We will be based here for just over a week, which will give the crew members a chance to work on their boats and prepare for the gruelling sail up to Qingdao.
“I am also pleased to say that we will be joined this week by a number of our other sponsors who have come to Singapore to establish and develop business relationships around the stopover, including representatives from Canada’s Cape Breton Island, our Scottish entry, Edinburgh Inspiring Capital, English regional tourist board, Welcome to Yorkshire, and Ireland’s Cork.”
The Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race fleet 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
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A rousing welcome for the Clipper Race fleet at Keppel Bay by Dr Lee Boon Yang, Chairman of Keppel Corporation. Looking on are (from left) Ms Aw Kah Peng, Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Board; Mr Teo Soon Hoe, Senior Executive Director & Group Finance Director, Keppel Corporation; Mr Choo Chiau Beng, CEO, Keppel Corporation; Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Chairman, Clipper Ventures Plc and Mr Kevin Wong, Group CEO, Keppel Land.
Welcoming home Uniquely Singapore by Keppel Ambassador Adrian Tan who will be flying the Singapore flag high when he embarks on the finishing leg from Caribbean to Humber, UK
Homecoming for Uniquely Singapore
Chairman Lee commending Singapore-born Skipper, Jim Dobie for leading the Uniquely Singapore crew with tenacity and passion
The jubilant crew from Cape Breton Island who won the Uniquely Singapore cup sponsored by Keppel Corporation
| Download | - | Speech by Keppel Chairman Lee Boon Yang |
| Download | - | Speech by Clipper Ventures Chairman Sir Robin |
| Download | - | Uniquely Singapore Cup - Positions |
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