ATPI SportsEvents is the preferred sports specialist for sports federations, organising committees, and corporate businesses worldwide, expertly translating your brand value into an unforgettable sporting experience. In this case study, we take a look at the successful partnership between ATPI Sports Events and the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race for the 2019-20 edition of the event.
The Client
The Clipper Race, created by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first person to sail solo nonstop around the world, is one of nature’s most difficult challenges and an endurance test unlike any other.
This supreme challenge, which is normally the domain of seasoned pros, is taken on by ordinary, everyday people. It’s a record-breaking 40,000 nautical mile race around the world on a 70-foot ocean racing yacht divided into 8 legs and 13-16 races
The Challenge
The 2019-20 edition featured eleven teams and over 700 sailors. There were also 25 full-time Clipper Race staff, numerous Race Crew Supporters, and Race Partners who needed to travel. With 50 different nationalities sailing on board the yachts and ten countries visited ranging from Uruguay to the Philippines and everywhere in between, providing a seamless travel solution was a challenge on multiple fronts.
Due to the unpredictable nature of ocean racing and the time frames in which the yachts arrive at destinations, the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race required complete flexibility when booking flights and travel. They were also looking for an effective booking tool for their crew, crew supporters, and staff to use. Furthermore, whenever assistance is required, it needs to be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Furthermore, the Clipper Race was a unique challenge, given that the fleet was midway through its race around the world. After deciding to dock in the Philippines in March 2020, the pandemic began rapidly spreading throughout China, and the travellers needed to return home quickly and safely.
Resuming the 2019-20 edition after two years of the pandemic was a huge logistical challenge, but it also gave those who were nervous about returning to travel peace of mind, ensuring that travel is safe and reliable.
The Solution
ATPI Sports events were extremely accommodating to the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race’s needs. The combination of Sports Events travel and our Marine expertise provided a seamless travel experience not only for the organisers, but also for the Race Crew, supporters, and partners.
We were able to get all of the travellers home safely when the teams docked in the Philippines, by taking a proactive approach using our expertise as a global travel company and working with our global offices and local embassies.
The team provided an online booking tool that allowed for a quick and easy transaction. However, many crew members chose the offline team to get a consultative approach to the type of travel that they required. We were able to provide crew and others with marine fares and marine travel combined as one service, as well as a dedicated travel desk, thanks to our expertise.
The dedicated travel desk was open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so we were always available regardless of office hours. This enabled the team to assist with any emergency, regardless of time of day. Flexibility proved to be key, being able to provide Clipper Race with whatever they needed when they required it. By offering a consultative approach and not just booking travel, we provided Clipper Race with a seamless travel solution and delivered what really mattered.
“ATPI Sports Events are extremely professional, really efficient and they’re a great company to work with. We’ve recommended them not only to partners but also to friends and family and all our race crew. I really look forward to working with them again in the future”
Matt Pettit, Operations & Logistics Manager, Clipper Ventures
“At ATPI, we always strive to deliver peace of mind to all of our clients and Clipper Round the World Yacht Race was no different, particularly with the type of unique travel they have. We aim to offer a proactive solution to give a seamless travel solution”
Pete Gill, Global Sports & Media Account Manager, ATPI
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