At 9.00am today, the North Ireland team’s racing yacht Derry-Londonderry-Doire, as the winner of the Da Nang - New Discovery of Asia Race, was the first of the Clipper Race boats to dock at Da Nang’s Han River Port.  The crew were treated to a spectacular reception as hundreds of people lined the dockside to welcome skipper Daniel Smith and his team.

The municipal People’s Committee Chairman, Mr Huynh Duc Tho, congratulated skipper Smith and his crew on their victory and praised them for their bravery, innovation and great team spirit during their 27 days of racing from Australia’s Airlie Beach. 

In reply, the Scottish skipper said “We had a complete mix of everything in this race - lots of wind and then really light wind, upwind sailing and downwind sailing.  However, it is absolutely fantastic to be here.  I think this is the best reception we have had so far in the race.  There were drummers, music, loads of cameras, and everyone is really pleased to see us, so I am really happy right now”.

After the welcome ceremony, municipal Party Committee Secretary Nguyen Xuan Anh, Chairman Duc Tho, and skipper Smith together opened bottles of champagne to congratulate the North Ireland team’s victory.

Da Nang Today would like to share with our readers some photos, taken by our reporters Dac Manh and Bao An, which show the first boat’s arrival in the city.

The Derry-Londonderry-Doire yacht was the first to arrive off the Da Nang coast

The yacht reaching buoy No 0 in Da Nang Bay

The Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Mr Lam Quang Minh, welcoming the Derry-Londonderry-Doire team at buoy No 0

Some of the yacht's crew members

The yacht arriving in the Han River Port

Local residents and visitors waiting for the winners at the port

Some crew members sharing their joy

People's Committee Chairman Huynh Duc Tho greets skipper Daniel Smith

Some of the city’s leaders in a photo with the team

Municipal Party Committee Secretary Nguyen Xuan Anh (centre right) and Chairman Tho (centre left) with the yacht’s crew