19-July-2010 – Uniquely Singapore finishes 6th position in a race around the world Keppel is sponsor for the Singapore entry in the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race.
Uniquely Singapore has finished 6th position in a 35,000 nautical mile race around the globe. The red yacht together with the international fleet sailed into Hull and Humber, UK, on Saturday, 17 July 2010, in the final leg of the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race. Ms Wang Look Fung, General Manager for Group Corporate Communications of Keppel Corporation, welcomed and congratulated the team at the race finish ceremony, “The Uniquely Singapore crew and our Keppel Ambassadors have flown our flag high with their display of courage, tenacity and strong Can-Do! spirit. “Along with many Singaporeans, I have been following Uniquely Singapore’s performance closely and have been deeply impressed with the teamwork and the all inclusive mindset that the Skipper and crew have demonstrated in this Race that has seen its fair share of excitement across the oceans. “As the sponsor of Uniquely Singapore, we hope their achievements and adventures will encourage more Singaporeans to grow beyond their personal limitations and pursue their passions and dreams.” As part of its people development initiatives, Keppel fielded a team of four Keppelites to crew Uniquely Singapore in the Clipper 09-10 Race. The Keppel Ambassadors joined more than 40 others from 12 nationalities between the ages of 19 to 62 years old to represent Singapore in the Race. There were also 11 Singaporeans and residents in this Race. Helmed by Singapore-born Skipper Jim Dobie, the 10-month-long race which started on 13 September 2009 has seen Uniquely Singapore cross five continents and visit 14 ports including Brazil; Singapore; China; and California and New York in the USA. Uniquely Singapore took first position in race 10 from Jamaica to New York; and was third in race two from Brazil to South Africa. Jim Dobie, Skipper of Uniquely Singapore, said, “We have a superb team that bonded right from the start of the Race. Every crew member, whether a circumnavigator or race legger, has displayed and embraced the Keppel Can-Do! spirit that has seen us through from ‘Go’ to finish.” Chairman and founder of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, said, “The crews expected adventure; that comes with any circumnavigation of the world. But the Clipper 09-10 crew got more adventures than they could have anticipated in their 35,000-mile voyage. “They departed Hull last September. They knew that had been through the toughest training there is for those coming newly into the sport of sailing but they would have been inhuman if they had not felt some apprehension. They return to Hull, ten months later, with stories that others can only envy and an experience that will remain one of the high points of their lives. These are now highly experienced sailors, or better still, seamen. Their bearing, that quiet self confidence that comes from knowing you have achieved something special and difficult, will endure in whatever they decide to do now with their lives. “We at Clipper Ventures have worked with Keppel Corporation for three races. We have got to know each other well and work together to promote Keppel’s corporate objectives. We are looking forward to taking that cooperation to greater heights in the Clipper 11-12 Race.” This is the third consecutive year that Singapore has fielded an entry in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. Keppel Corporation is the main sponsor of Uniquely Singapore, together with race partner, the Singapore Tourism Board. Keppel will continue to support the Singapore yacht in the Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race and offer part of the required pre-race Clipper Training for participants at the Keppel Bay Sailing Academy (KBSA). KBSA offers parts A and B of the three-part Clipper Training curriculum at Marina at Keppel Bay. Parts A and B are eight-day courses, covering areas of safety, seamanship and helmsmanship. Participants will learn all aspects of sailing onboard an ocean-racing yacht and become a certified competent member of a race crew. Part C of the Clipper Training will be carried out in Gosport, UK. The international fleet will berth again at Keppel Bay in 2012, as part of the Singapore stopover. Keppel Bay forms part of the necklace of attractions in Singapore’s southern waterfront which includes Sentosa Island and the Resorts World at Sentosa along with the largest entertainment and retail hub – HarbourFront and Vivo City. With its premier waterfront luxury residential development, Keppel Bay offers the best in urban and waterfront lifestyles to its international community of buyers.
