The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is starting the New Year by announcing sponsorship extensions with long-term partners Marlow Ropes, ChartCo and Ocean Safety ahead of the 2015-16 series, the tenth edition of the unique biennial global challenge.

Clipper Race Founder and Chairman, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, said: “We are very pleased that Marlow Ropes, ChartCo and Ocean Safety are to continue their partnerships with us for the 2015-16 edition.

“We have enjoyed successful, long term relationships with these industry leading companies whose products continue to stand up to the test of one of the world’s most unique challenges. Once again we look forward to working together to create both another safe circumnavigation and an extraordinary experience for our crew.”

The tenth edition of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race starts this August and will take almost a year to complete. At 40,000 nautical miles in length, it is the world’s longest ocean race, also regarded as one of the toughest endurance challenges on the planet.

As the Clipper Race’s official rope supplier, Marlow Ropes will once again provide each of the fleet’s twelve Clipper 70 yachts with over 40,000 metres of high quality ropes which are made of modern, light weight fibres such as Dyneema. Crew will be provided with rope care and splicing advice by Marlow experts during training to help them get maximum lifespan and efficiency out of the running rigging during their eleven month challenge.

Paul Honess, Leisure Marine Sales Director for Marlow Ropes Ltd, said: “Marlow is very proud to continue our association with the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race for the seventh consecutive race series. It was clear to see from the last edition of the race that the new Clipper 70 is a big step up from the Clipper 68s with regards to power and performance.

“We continue to use mostly standard products on most of the running rigging but have now upgraded some cover composition for a few of the lines, this is to increase the longevity and performance in a few key applications ready for the next edition of the race. The great thing about working with the Clipper fleet is that we can trial and test our products and look at ways to increase performance and longevity of the lines and get great feedback which we can then use to develop our Cruiser/ Racer range of products.”​

Ocean Safety marks its sixth consecutive time as Clipper Race safety supplier and will continue to work closely with the race organisers to ensure that the safety standards of the 2015-16 circumnavigation are accurately met.

“We are delighted to be partnering and re-supplying to the Clipper Race once again,” commented Ocean Safety’s Charlie Mill. “We will be supplying their complete safety package, as well as invaluable support and training for the race crews prior to and during the race. A comprehensive service package will also be put in place to ensure regular equipment checks and updates are completed.”

Leaving nothing to chance to protect the amateur sailors who will crew each boat – the complete safety kit includes; liferafts, Kannad EPIRBs, lifebuoy lights, lifebuoys, survival suits, flares, radar reflectors, fire extinguishers, thermal protective suits, grab bags and more. Ocean Safety has also continued its innovation and evolution on a number of the products including a custom lifejacket, to be revealed shortly.

ChartCo, one of the world’s largest stockists and distributors of nautical charts, navigational data and marine technical publications, is back on board for its fourth consecutive race as an official Clipper Race supplier.

Martin Taylor, Managing Director of ChartCo said: “We’re really pleased to continue our partnership with the Clipper 2015-16 Round the World Yacht Race, a unique event which shares our spirit of teamwork and respect; two important values that ChartCo has held throughout its 250-year history.

The Clipper Race was established in 1996 by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and is the only event of its kind for amateur sailors. Twelve teams, each led by a professional skipper, will battle against each other in up to 16 individually scored races which cover six continents on the global race circuit.

via Clipper Race announces extended sponsorships for 2015-16 series.