First commercial African sponsor for world's longest ocean race

(l to r) Dirk Van Daele member of the Sapinda UK Executive Committee, Clipper Ventures Chief Executive William Ward, Rob Hersov (Chairman and Founding Partner of Invest Africa) at London's Tower Bridge ahead of the Clipper 13-14 Round the World Yacht Race © Press Association

First time Team Sponsor, Invest Africa today announced its yacht entry in the Clipper 2013-14 Round the World Yacht Race. The yacht, which is part of the newly designed Clipper 70 fleet, will debut in the ninth edition of the world's longest ocean race and will be called Invest Africa.

Invest Africa is a fast-growing networking organisation that builds high quality business relationships within growing African networks. The aim of the business is to create a community of investors who share a vision for a brighter African future. Following a successful set up in Europe, Invest Africa is hoping to use its visibility in the Clipper Race to promote its agenda worldwide.

Rob Hersov, Chairman and Founding Partner, Invest Africa said: "We believe the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race provides a unique global stage where we can promote the opportunities for investment in the planet's most exciting continent."

"We also wish our friends of the Sapinda Rainbow team all the best in their journeys and in their personal development as young adults as they make their way safely around the world on Invest Africa whilst 'flying the flag' for our great continent."

There are eight legs of the Clipper Race, of which Leg 2 ends in Cape Town, South Africa. The yacht will have a 22-strong crew for each part of the race, composed of men and women irrespective of age or background. The Invest Africa yacht also includes participants from the Sapinda Rainbow program, a youth initiative funded by the Sapinda Group with the endorsement of the Nelson Mandela's Children's Fund. The Sapinda Group are providing eight underprivileged South African youngsters with the opportunity to participate in the race. The youths will form a relay with each team member completing one race leg each.

Dirk Van Daele, Executive Member of the Sapinda Group which supports the Sapinda Rainbow Initiative, said: "We are delighted that the Sapinda Rainbow team will sail on an Africa-led boat with the team sponsorship of Invest Africa. The goal of the Sapinda Group is supporting this youth leadership project in Africa, and its endorsement by the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund, which is being reinforced by Invest Africa's promotion of entrepreneurship and investment in the region."

William Ward, CEO of Race Organisers Clipper Ventures PLC remarked: "We are delighted to welcome Invest Africa on board. They clearly recognise the power of the Clipper Race in building visibility within global markets. We are confident Invest Africa will discover this is a powerful platform for developing their international networks."

The Clipper Race generates intense global media coverage and provides a powerful marketing platform for global brands. Invest Africa plan to utilise this platform in each of its key territories, especially in the United States, where they hope to bring the African success story to the forefront of business agendas in order to encourage direct investment.

The Invest Africa entry will be crewed by amateurs under professional skipper Rich Gould. Rich was selected by the Clipper Race following a rigorous selection process as one of just twelve exceptional skippers to make the grade from hundreds of applicants. In addition to the Sapinda Rainbow Team, the multi-national crew includes a number of people from African countries. He said:"We're all very proud to be flying the flag for Invest Africa. Both myself and my crew are looking forward to hosting our Team Sponsor and their partners in ports of call around the world."

People from around the world and from all walks of life compete in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. 670 crew members from over 40 nationalities are set to take part in Clipper Race 13-14 which starts Sunday, 1 September from St Katharine Dock, London. The Clipper Race fleet is made up of twelve brand new identical ocean racers with each one sponsored by a different destination or brand.

www.clipperroundtheworld.com