Everyone's a winner at Derry - Londonderry's Halloween Competition

It was a close finish for crews from Clipper Round the World Yacht Race as entries from Gold Coast Australia, Qingdao, Welcome to Yorkshire and Visit Finland claimed a special achievement award as they arrived in Geraldton. The award marks their achievement in creativity following their successful entry into the Derry~Londonderry Clipper Hallowe’en Festival Competition.
 

The competition was open to all crews during the Cape Town to Geraldton Western Australia race leg and was designed to support the 25th celebrations of the Hallowe’en festival in Derry~Londonderry, Northern Ireland. The annual festival attracts over 25,000 costumed revellers to the city on October 31st to enjoy a carnival parade, music and family events making it the largest outdoor Hallowe’en Festival in Ireland.
 

Claire Lundy from Derry City Council, explaining why creativity was at the heart of the competition, said, “Through the Hallowe’en competition we wanted to help unleash the creative energy of the crews and we were not disappointed! Many of the crews took their inspiration from their surroundings creating atmospheric videos, pictures and ghostly tales during their journey to Western Australia. The entries captured the uniqueness of the team spirit, fun and energy that represents the Clipper ethos. In a way, everyone was a winner and while all the yachts received a special Hallowe’en prize on arrival we added a special achievement award for best video, experience, story and image entry”.

All entries were very creative ranging from the Blair Witch type video-edits to compelling yarns of ghostly happenings onboard the ocean yachts. Gold Coast Australia received a special achievement award for their captivating story of mysterious shadow sailors, Qingdao for sharing their personal Hallowe’en experiences, Visit Finland for their spooky unwanted visitor photograph and Welcome to Yorkshire for their ghost video and innovative introduction of a pink super hero! Special mention also to Derry~Londonderry and their Hallowe’en suspense video and message, De Lage Landen’s haunting crew story and the mystery of the Kerguelen Mistresses scripted by Edinburgh Inspiring Capital. All yachts received an Irish food hamper produced by Australian company Taste Ireland who provide a one stop shop for Irish Food in Australia.

“When you add an unpredictable ocean, a watch system and the fact the crew first priority was racing, it was very special to receive so many entries to support the international appeal of the competition and the festival”, added Claire. “We hope the creative connection with the crews will continue after the competition and that we have also added something special to their journey from Cape Town to Western Australia”.

All entries can be enjoyed at www.derrycity.gov.uk/clipper with more information about the hallowe’en festivities at www.derrycity.gov.uk/halloween .

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