THOUSANDS of people turned out along the Foyle yesterday to see off the latest leg of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race as it departed from Greencastle.
More than 200,000 people have turned out in Derry in recent days to see the yachts moored upstream on the river Foyle.
The Clipper race is 40,000 miles in length and is the world’s longest yacht race.
Derry was chosen as one of just 13 stop-offs around the globe which include China, Brazil, Australia, USA and South Africa.
The founder and chairman of the Clipper Round the World yacht race Sir Robin Knox-Johnston said: “I think Derry has been one of the most successful stop overs ever and I think the reason for that is that the whole city seems to have become involved in the event.
“The crews had an absolute ball here. Now there’s two aspects to that. It’s great for our crews to come here and visit Ireland and see what it’s like and visit the hinterland as well.
“It’s also great for Derry itself because it has given everyone a common cause, something they can all identify with.”
Derry City Council splashed out €2.1M bringing the event to the North West, but both Derry and Donegal is expected to have benefited to the tune of €8M.
Our pictures come from Stoycho Danve, Discover Inishowen.
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