Clipper fleet arrive in Halifax to end of Race 12

by Event media on 10 Jun 2008
Overnight the Clipper fleet arrived at Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron, where they were welcomed with cold beers and hot food at the end of Race 12 from New York. Nova Scotia finished fifth in the race where dense fog and light winds tested the crews’ skills and resolve. westernaustralia2011.com’s tactical decision to turn towards Halifax earlier than the rest of the fleet paid off as they found more favourable winds to propel them into the lead and claim their first victory of the Clipper 07-08 series.

Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper’s consistent performance earned them another second place, while Qingdao emerged as victor of their dogfight with Hull & Humber to finish third, just a fifth of a nautical mile separating the two teams when the race finished at 12:00 GMT on Saturday 8 June.

Nova Scotia led the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race fleet into Halifax at the start of an eight-day stopover in the province. They were welcomed by crowds lining Halifax Waterfront and the iconic Canadian figure of a Mountie – a member of Canada’s Royal Mounted Police Force. The fleet sailed in formation, past George’s Island and Dartmouth before arriving at Cable Wharf at Halifax Waterfront, where they will be berthed for the next four days.

Among the welcoming party was Nova Scotia’s Minister of Immigration, the Honourable Len Goucher, who was instrumental in bringing the fleet to the Province. At the official welcome and prizegiving ceremony the Minister said, 'I want my Nova Scotia crew to know that I was Minister of Tourism when this all started and we’re very proud to have you all here and very proud to have the province involved in all this.

During the stopover the ten internationally-backed yachts competing in Clipper 07-08 will take part in the Democracy 250 Race from Halifax to Sydney, one of a number of events to mark the 250th anniversary of the birth of democracy in the Province. The teams will set off from Halifax Waterfront at 8.00am local time (11:00 GMT) on Thursday and will arrive in Sydney on Friday evening. They will set off from Sydney on their final Atlantic crossing on Monday 16 June.

During the eight days the crews will spend in Nova Scotia they will be treated to the hospitality for which the Province is famed. No sooner had they arrived and attended the welcome ceremony and prizegiving than they were whisked off to be served chowder cooked by some of the best chefs in Halifax, followed by a tour of Keith’s Brewery, a reception at the Red Stag Bar followed by more partying at the Lower Deck. On Wednesday crews will enjoy a guided tour of Halifax.