Clipper Announces $1 m Sponsorship Boost and New Fleet of Yachts
Clipper Ventures plc, the AIM listed ocean racing company chaired by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, today announced the award of a landmark contract for the build of a new ten-strong fleet for the Clipper 2005 Round the World Yacht Race. The contract is awarded to Shanghai Double Happiness Yachts Ltd, a subsidiary of Shanghai Double Happiness Sports - the only Chinese company to be an official supplier to the Olympic Games.
The new ten-strong fleet of 68-foot yachts, from the drawing board of celebrated designer Ed Dubois, will be built in China and will start coming into service in 2004.
Also announced today is a sponsorship deal valued at $1,000,000, granting Shanghai Double Happiness Yachts the rights to promote their yacht sales through the Clipper 2005 race, which will set sail from the UK in the autumn of 2005 - the single largest sponsorship deal negotiated by the race organisers to date.
Shanghai Double Happiness, one of the world's largest manufacturers and distributors of sporting-goods, will show case the Dubois 68 at each of the international ports on Clipper 2005, the longest of all the round the world yacht races. Furthermore each Dubois 68 will be named after and sponsored by a major international city, as the exciting city versus city, nation versus nation format of the Clipper 2005 race takes shape.
Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and Mr. Huang Yong Wu, General Manager of Shanghai Double Happiness (Group) Inc., today signed the contract at the Royal Thames Yacht Club, Britain's premier and oldest sailing club.
The agreement is as a major business success for both parties. Double Happiness benefit from the promotion of their rapidly expanding boat-building capability around the world and Clipper Ventures acquire a top quality fleet of yachts. With 10 yachts and an increase to 18 crew berths per yacht, Clipper are able to increase their revenue from crew fees by over 50%.
FURTHER INFORMATION: Loretta Spridgeon / Tim Hedges Clipper Ventures plc Tel: 023 8023 7088 Fax: 023 8023 7081 Mob: 07773 818586 Email: lspridgeon@clipper-ventures.com
The new ten-strong fleet of 68-foot yachts, from the drawing board of celebrated designer Ed Dubois, will be built in China and will start coming into service in 2004.
Also announced today is a sponsorship deal valued at $1,000,000, granting Shanghai Double Happiness Yachts the rights to promote their yacht sales through the Clipper 2005 race, which will set sail from the UK in the autumn of 2005 - the single largest sponsorship deal negotiated by the race organisers to date.
Shanghai Double Happiness, one of the world's largest manufacturers and distributors of sporting-goods, will show case the Dubois 68 at each of the international ports on Clipper 2005, the longest of all the round the world yacht races. Furthermore each Dubois 68 will be named after and sponsored by a major international city, as the exciting city versus city, nation versus nation format of the Clipper 2005 race takes shape.
Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and Mr. Huang Yong Wu, General Manager of Shanghai Double Happiness (Group) Inc., today signed the contract at the Royal Thames Yacht Club, Britain's premier and oldest sailing club.
The agreement is as a major business success for both parties. Double Happiness benefit from the promotion of their rapidly expanding boat-building capability around the world and Clipper Ventures acquire a top quality fleet of yachts. With 10 yachts and an increase to 18 crew berths per yacht, Clipper are able to increase their revenue from crew fees by over 50%.
FURTHER INFORMATION: Loretta Spridgeon / Tim Hedges Clipper Ventures plc Tel: 023 8023 7088 Fax: 023 8023 7081 Mob: 07773 818586 Email: lspridgeon@clipper-ventures.com