Early September saw the return of Hull and Humber Clipper to its Yorkshire home base in Kingston upon Hull. The ten world class yachts set sail witnessed by huge crowds along Hulls rapidly emerging waterfront. Interacting with a spectacularly successful Freedom Festival, the weekend’s events have more than exceeded expectations for Hull based companies.

Clipper Round The World Yacht Race, of course, is no news for Jenko as the brand and boat livery for Hull & Humber were developed at the Hull-based creative studio and the PR and Communications for the foundation were managed at Jenko’s building by associates,
Top Banana who are currently en-route for La Rochelle for the second stage of the 2009-10 race.

The branding has caused a bit of a stir and the highly visible vessel is a favourite with local Clipper fans and crew. The distinctive orange design was meant to represent the sunrise and reinforce Hull’s emerging status on the world stage. Jenko creative director, Colin Wilson explains;
“We researched a lot of competitive events and rapidly came to the conclusion that many designs were either hamstrung by sponsorship guidelines or were too complex for the ever-changing backdrop that the oceans provide. Our aim was clear and simple, to fully communicate the huge amount of energy that the region is putting in to our regeneration here in Hull and the sub region”.

Hull and Humber Clipper Captain, Piers Dudin revealed at the Hull Forward Bondholder Breakfast meeting last week that he thought the Hull & Humber had the ‘coolest’ livery and, somehow, the design does capture the emotions and the people of Hull’s pride and expectations. Jenko Managing Director, Graham Jenkinson recalls the emotional events around Hull & Humber’s final return to Liverpool at the end of last year’s race; “It was an amazing feeling to hear Hull and Humber being announced as she glided in to the lock at Liverpool, the boat looked fantastic as thousands of people cheered her home. I noticed a very animated lady in front of me and as she turned, I noticed tears rolling down her cheeks – it was non other than our Lady Mayor who said she was ‘so proud of our city’ – we hugged in agreement – I’m not sure if that is protocol or not
but we were two of many Hull and Humber fans there that day”.

Now on to its second race, the Hull and Humber Clipper still looks the business and looks as fresh as ever. To the boat and crew, this is more than a race, the developing young people get a chance to deliver the Wilberforce Freedom Charter at their respective ports of call around the globe, giving the City of Hull reason to be proud of this world class initiative.

www.hullhumberclipper.com    www.realyorkshire.com