Clipper Ventures has selected the port of Fremantle as the first-ever Australian stopover for the Clipper 2005 Round the World Yacht Race. The AIM-listed company chaired by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston also announced that the State of Western Australia will sponsor one of the ten yacht entries in the event.

William Ward, Chief Executive Officer of Clipper Ventures Plc, commented: “We are pleased to announce Western Australia’s involvement in the Clipper Round the World Race. The agreement comes hot on the heels the £1.8 million sponsorship by the UK city of Liverpool and its appointment as the host port for the start and finish of the Clipper series. We are progressing with additional sponsorships in our nation versus nation format and will announce these over the coming months.”

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, race organiser and first man to sail solo non-stop around the world, added: “These are exciting times for Clipper Ventures as we start to put the buoys in place for our 2005 race and we are delighted to have secured the first rate event hosting services that the port of Fremantle offers. Western Australia is famous for its brilliant blue skies and warm sunny climate; attributes sure to prove popular with the visiting Clipper crews.”

The Clipper 2005 event will start from Liverpool (UK) in September 2005. The sole Australasian stop is scheduled for late December 2005 in Fremantle, before the 10-strong racing fleet heads for the islands of Indonesia and then China.