Spirit of Canada in countdown to finish

by Mary Ambler on 28 May 2003 SPIRIT OF CANADA IN COUNTDOWN TO FINISH

LATEST ETA: >From midday on Friday 30th May
Around Alone 2002-03 Overall Rankings & Awards

Around Alone 2002-03 Media Contact:
Around Alone 2002-03 enters its last week with the 10th and final boat, Open 40 Spirit of Canada skippered by Canadian Derek Hatfield, now only 632 miles from the finish line off Castle Hill in Newport RI.

Positioned 10 miles to the west of Bermuda this morning, Hatfield looks set to finish during Friday 30th May, weather depending. Hatfield is enjoying southwesterlies, which should continue for most of this week, as he steers Spirit of Canada on the home stretch to Newport, RI.

Hatfield’s latest log shows that he is still in racing mode, despite his delayed finish after pitch-poling and dismasting at Cape Horn on 7th March.

His final major obstacle before completing his round the world race is the Gulf Stream: “I am heading a little West of the finish line as I want to bypass a cold water eddy that lies on the direct route to Newport. These eddies are spun off the Gulf Stream and are like huge turntables rotating in the ocean. You really want to be on the right side of the turntable or you find yourself in adverse currents for upwards of 60 miles or more.

I have studied the Gulf Stream chart and have picked my entry point into it to try and minimize the time actually in the stream. This stretch of water is probably one of the most complicated in the world to navigate properly.”

Spirit of Canada is still ranked and providing the boat crosses the line, Hatfield is set to take 3rd place overall in Class 2. Fellow competitors Brad Van Liew, Bruce Schwab, Tim Kent and Alan Paris are intending to come back to welcome their friend across the finish line, as well as his family and a host of Canadian and local supporters.

The finish line is off Castle Hill, Newport RI. After crossing the line, Spirit of Canada will be moored at the Newport Shipyard, 1 Washington Street, where public are welcome to meet him and take part in the Champagne Mumm reception.

There will be a press conference in the Shipyard Crew Lounge after his arrival, followed by an official prizegiving for Derek Hatfield.

SPIRIT OF CANADA POSITION AT 15:00 GMT 27th May 2003

Class 2
Boat Lat Lon AvgBsp AvgHeading DTF

1. Spirit of Canada 32 09.565N 065 13 409W, 8.6 kt, 321 °T, 632 nm


Around Alone 2002-03 Overall Rankings
Go to official website homepage for Leg and Overall Rankings Tables

Class 1

1. Bobst Group – Armor Lux: 49 points / 115 days 17hrs 27m 23s
2. Solidaires: 45 points / 118 days 12hrs 51m 48s
3. Tiscali: 35 points / 159 days 19hrs 53m 11s
4. Pindar: 33 points / 131 days 19hrs 45m 49s
5. Ocean Planet: 30 points / 159 days 5hrs 41m 42s

Class 2

1. Tommy Hilfiger Freedom America: 50 points / 148 days 16 hrs 54m 42s
2. Everest Horizontal: 44 points / 169 days 23hrs 6m 28s
5. BTC Velocity: 30 points / 202 days 10hrs 9m 52s

TBC: Spirit of yukoh: 36 points / 180 days 0hrs 6m 25s

Around Alone 2002-03 Awards

Around Alone 2002-03 Class 1 Winner’s Shield Bernard Stamm
Around Alone 2002-03 Class 2 Winner - Shuten Doji Award Brad Van Liew
Harry Mitchell Trophy for the fastest Open 40 Kojiro Shiraishi
Raymarine Communication Awards – Class 1 Emma Richards
Raymarine Communication Awards – Class 2 Brad Van Liew
Dry Creek Vineyard 24hr Distance Record – Class 1 Bernard Stamm Dry Creek Vineyard 24hr Distance Record – Class 2 Brad Van Liew