CLV Clipper Ven.

Clipper Ventures plc today announced VELUX A/S, the world's leading producer of roof windows and skylights, as official naming sponsor of the 5 Oceans solo round the world yacht race. The multi-million Euro deal will see the race renamed as the "VELUX 5 Oceans". The partnership with VELUX will cement the event's position as the world's premier single-handed round the world yacht race and enable more skippers to take part. The longest race for any individual in any sport, the VELUX 5 Oceans will see the sailors cover 30,000 miles circumnavigating the world via the five great Capes. The race has consistently fielded the largest international fleet of all single-handed races and Clipper Ventures is confident that this year will feature the most countries to ever compete in a single-handed race. The VELUX 5 Oceans, formerly the Around Alone, will be sailed in cutting edge Open 60 and Open 50 racing yachts. The race starts in Bilbao, Spain on 22 October 2006 and will follow a Grand Prix format taking the 20-strong fleet to Freemantle, Western Australia and then onto Florida USA, before a final transatlantic sprint back to Bilbao in Spring 2007. VELUX A/S is a privately owned company which has seen rapid growth across Europe and global markets in recent years. The company identified sailing as a target for their sports marketing and selected the 5 Oceans as a truly global sporting event which has many synergies with the VELUX brand and company objectives. Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Chairman of Clipper Ventures Plc, said "We are absolutely delighted to welcome VELUX aboard and believe that this partnership will prove to be a significant step to enhancing this gold standard yachting even. The VELUX 5 Oceans is the toughest test of any individual in sport and there is nothing that compares with it for the demands it makes on a person. " Jorgen Tang Jensen, Managing Director of VELUX A/S said, "The 5 Oceans is the perfect match for our brand, values, strategies and markets. Today, we are a global group with companies in more than 40 countries and as such we need a global event to unite us. VELUX works with daylight in buildings and thus with the natural environment's importance for our wellbeing. Our focus on daylight, fresh air and clear views harmonises perfectly with yachting. In addition, 5 Oceans originated in precisely the continents in which VELUX is represented, namely Europe, the USA and Australia". - Ends - For more information on the VELUX 5 Oceans, please visit http://www.VELUX5Oceans.com