Liverpool's entry in the 05-06 Clipper Round the World Yacht race arrives in the city for the first time on Friday. The 68ft (21m) Liverpool 08 Clipper's maiden Mersey will get a civic welcome from the city's first citizen the Lord Mayor Councillor Alan Dean.
It is due to enter the world's oldest enclosed dock system at Canning Half-Tide Dock at 0920 BST.
The clipper was built for the 35,000 mile Clipper 05-06 Race, which starts in Liverpool on 18 September.
'Exciting time'
Coun Dean, whose first day as first citizen was spent welcoming home the victorious Liverpool FC with the European Cup, said: ''I hope the arrival of the 08 clipper will be a little less hectic than the last homecoming I attended.
"But it's another homecoming of great importance because it marks an exciting time for the city."
The clipper, which was unveiled last October, will be open for tours by schoolchildren and the public for the 25th Mersey River Festival which runs 10-13 June before leaving for training.
The crew of the 08 clipper and the other competing clippers, will be announced on 4 June at St George's Hall.
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