Re Alliance

RNS Number:3130R
Clipper Ventures PLC
27 October 2003

Under Strict Embargo Until 10:00 GMT on 27 October 2003



        LIVERPOOL WINS RIGHT TO HOST CLIPPER RACE IN #1.8 MILLION DEAL

Liverpool (UK) Monday, 27 October 2003: Clipper Ventures plc has today selected
the City of Liverpool as the host port for the start and finish of its 2005/6
and 2007/8 Round the World Yacht Races and granted the City title sponsorship
rights for its own yacht entry in both events. In return for these rights, the
City of Liverpool will pay cash fees of #1.8 million and provide top quality
event hosting infrastructure and services.

The agreement between Liverpool City Council and Clipper Ventures PLC is a major
boost for Liverpool's five-year build up to European Capital of Culture 2008.
The landmark six-year cooperation is also the single largest sponsorship deal
negotiated by the race organisers to date and is unprecedented in the arena of
round the world yacht race hosting.

Clipper's next 35,000 mile, 11-month race will be a major event linking the
city's Year of the Sea in 2005 and Year of Sport in 2006. The Clipper 2007 race
will link the city's 800th birthday to the year-long Cultural festival in 2008.

City Council Leader, Councillor Mike Storey, said: "The Clipper 2002/3 race was
extremely popular. I am delighted to see the race playing a major part in our
celebrations up to 2008 as the city flies the flag for the UK around the world.

"The River Mersey is fundamental to the success of the new Liverpool. The growth
of the River Festival, World Heritage status for the waterfront in 2004, a new
Cruise Liner Terminal in 2005 and now the Clipper Race, will re-establish its
world famous reputation."

David Henshaw, Chief Executive of Liverpool City Council, said: "We welcome this
opportunity to exploit Liverpool's unique potential as 'The World In One City.'

"The Clipper race is a fantastic tool for the city to reach major new audiences.
It also has tremendous synergy with our European Capital of Culture campaign.
Our investment reflects the race's ability to generate tens of #millions for the
city and showcase the new Liverpool around the globe."

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, race organiser and first man to sail solo non-stop
around the world, today commented: "We are attracted to the facilities of
Liverpool and the city's enthusiasm to host the event.

"Liverpool has proven hosting capabilities and its people illustrated their
great support for this race when crowds in excess of 80,000 flocked to view the
spectacular finish of Clipper 2002 from both sides of the mighty Mersey River
last month. We had more spectators than any other yacht race start or finish
ever staged in the UK, which tells me that Liverpool should be the spiritual
home of the Clipper race."

Ten new Clipper Dubois 68' racing yachts will be berthed at Liverpool's
award-winning Albert Dock for the start and finish of the fifth Clipper Round
the World Series, setting sail in September 2005. Each yacht will be sponsored
by a major international city, as the exciting nation versus nation format of
the Clipper 2005 race takes shape.

The involvement of Shanghai Double Happiness Yachts, the boatbuilders for the
new Dubois 68 fleet, further enhances Liverpool's trade links with the Clipper
race.  Liverpool and Shanghai became sister cities in 1999 and have since
developed strong business and cultural bonds.  The Clipper race provides an
ideal vehicle to enhance the ties between the two cities as part of Liverpool's
China Link programme.

Nine other world-class city entries will bring their business sponsors,
international media and civic delegations to Liverpool for the start and finish
of both Clipper races, giving unique networking opportunities and large numbers
of high yield visitors.

More than 700 crew members will compete on the two events embarking from the
North West's nautical capital - providing a significant boost to the region's
visitor and maritime industries.

William Ward, Chief Executive of Clipper Ventures, said: "As race organisers, we
are thrilled that our city sponsorship model, launched in 2000, has proved to be
such a tremendous success.

"It has proven that cities can derive tremendous value from both hosting the
event and sponsoring an entry. We are keen to establish Liverpool as the home of
the Clipper race, enabling us to extend a partnership that has already been
highly effective over the last four years.

"This deal is the first of several city sponsorship agreements, which we expect
to announce in the coming months, and really sets us up to deliver a Clipper
2005 race which can generate a three fold increase in revenues over its 2002
edition."

                                      ENDS

                                                                27, October 2003

For information, interviews or images, please contact:
Loretta Spridgeon
Clipper 2005 Press Officer
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Mobile: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.clipper-ventures.com


Copyright-free images of the new Clipper Dubois 68 yacht model, the ceremonial
signing of the agreement at Liverpool's Harbourside Club and the homecoming of
the Clipper 2002/3 Round the World Yacht Race can all be emailed on request.

For further information please contact Paul Johnston at Liverpool City Council
on 0151 225 2611 or 07740 918 615 or contact Loretta Spridgeon of Clipper
Ventures on 0238 023 7088 or 07773 818 586.


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