LARGE crowds lined Derry’s River Foyle last night to welcome the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race to the city for the third and final time.
It had been hoped the Derry clipper would lead the fleet into its home port having won the transatlantic leg of the world's longest ocean race.
However, having led the field for the last 16 days, the fairytale ending was denied when the boat was pipped by overall race leader, the LMAX Exchange.
The result didn’t stop the celebrations as huge numbers cheered the leading boat and the Derry clipper home.
The arrival was a particularly emotional one for Derry-Londonderry-Doire crew member Danny Bryce, who was one of two local men to be awarded bursaries to join the vessel.
Mr Bryce (40) was met by his wife Leeann and daughters Aoife (3) and Aine (7) when the boat docked after spending the last 24 days at sea.
He said: “The crew of the Derry-Londonderry-Doire have demonstrated to me why they have been so successful during the race around the world because their enthusiasm, motivation and skill is evident from the minute you meet them.”
The other bursary winner, Shane Brunker (56), previously tasted success as an All-Ireland winning footballer - he was a member of the Down minor team which lifted the Tom Markham Cup in 1977.
The arrival of the clipper fleet marked the start of a week-long maritime festival alone the Foyle which gets underway on Saturday.
Building on the success of clipper stops in Derry in 2012 and 2014, the festival will feature music and displays on the river as well as the Clipper Race Kitchens, a celebration of food featuring celebrity chef Jean-Christophe Novelli among others.
