Sir Robin Knox-Johnston has
launched the British entry in the round the world Clipper Race — under the gaze of Admiral Nelson in London’s Trafalgar Square.

Called GREAT Britain, the 70ft craft will be one of twelve new
identical ocean racing yachts competing in the world’s longest
ocean race – which begins in
September – with crew of all ages and from all walks of life taking part.

‘I can’t think of a more fitting place to launch GREAT
Britain than in Trafalgar Square,’ said Sir Robin.

‘It’s a unique project and I’m very proud that the
Clipper Race can provide a powerful platform to promote Britain to a global
audience.

‘We have now taught 3,000 people to sail in the spirit
of the original Clipper ships which plied the trade winds to make Britain such a
great maritime trading nation.’

GREAT Britain will remain in Trafalgar Square until
Sunday 4 August and open to the public daily from 0800-2200.

She will sail back into the capital with the rest of the 12-strong Clipper Race
fleet over the August Bank Holiday weekend to spend a week in St Katharine
Docks.

The Clipper Race fleet will then depart from Tower Bridge on Sunday 1 September on the 40,000-mile race around the world.

The fleet will return to London in
July 2014.

Sir Robin, who is the Clipper Race chairman and founder,
became the first person to sail solo, non-stop, around the world in 1968-9.

He launched the biennial Clipper Race for amateur sailors 17
years ago.

You can read our review of the Clipper 70 design in the September issue of Yachting Monthly, out on Thursday 22 August.