Clipper yacht arrives in Londonderry
- Published
The yacht leading the Clipper Round the World Race arrived in Londonderry on Friday morning.
The Australian boat and its nine competitors, including the Derry/Londonderry vessel, have spent 11 months circumnavigating the globe.
The skipper of the Gold Coast Australia, Richard Heuston, said the reception in Derry was "unbelievable".
"I can't tell you how good it is," he said.
"There's been people lining the streets and boats lining the banks, it feels really welcoming."
The arrival of the yachts in the city will be the highlight of a week of celebrations.
Five more ships are expected on Saturday and the last yacht is due in on Monday.
The race has seen ten ships with 500 competitors from 40 nations take to the seas for a year.
They set off from Southampton last July and have visited the Americas, Africa, Asia, Australia and Europe.
In eight days' time the yachts will start their next leg of the race to complete the journey back to Southampton.
The Derry/Londonderry yacht is currently in ninth place and is due to arrive in the city on Sunday.