RNS Number:6339A
Clipper Ventures PLC
02 September 2002



Clipper Ventures plc, the AIM listed ocean racing and marine events company,
chaired by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, plans to build a fleet of 12 new boats,
costing an estimated #6 million.

It is intended that the 68ft, 18 berth Ed Dubois designed boats will all be
built from a single mould and will be ready in time for the 2005 Clipper Round
the World Yacht Race. They will replace the current fleet of eight Clipper 60s
which have now been round the world four times.


The initiative is part a five year development plan to develop the Clipper race
into a unique global sporting property, with each of the boats sponsored by an
international city, each from a different country. There will be a new route for
the race which will take in all the major business regions of the world.


It is intended that the investment in the new fleet will be financed by a
combination of an equity placing, the sale of the existing fleet and by loans.
No decision has yet been taken on where the boats will be built although
boatyards in Asia and South Africa are bidding for the contract.


Commenting on the initiatives, Sir Robin, the first man to sail solo around the
world, said: "This is a very exciting time for the Clipper race and the business
as a whole. The new theme of the Clipper race, pitting nation against nation,
will give the race new global appeal. We believe that the new route and bigger
fleet will allow us to improve profitability on the back of what will be a
unique yachting offering.


Notes to Editors:


The new boats, which will take two years to complete, will be eight feet longer
than the existing Clipper 60s. Despite their increased size, they will be
lighter and quicker, providing their amateur crews with a fleet of the fastest
round the world ocean racers in the non-professional field.


The Clipper race is one of two round the world yacht races run by Clipper
Ventures. Crew members pay a fee of up to #26,500 to join the 11 month race. The
new boats will allow Clipper to sell nearly double the number of berths. The
2002 race sets sail from Liverpool in October.

The second race in the Clipper Ventures stable is the Around Alone, a solo grand
prix challenge for the world's leading sailors. The 2002 race leaves from New
York on September 15 as part of the 'Sail for America' commemorative event. Fast
Track will undertake a similar role on the 2006 Around Alone, which will be
subject to further significant announcements later this year.

Clipper Ventures - www.clipper-ventures.com  - has secured three new race
partners for this years Around Alone. Raymarine are providing the race
management system, which plots the position and performance of boats, Tiscali
has designed the new race website - www.aroundalone.com  - which is launched
today and Stratos are supplying the ship-to-shore satellite communications.


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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