Clipper Race - Heading for Australia- windy start across Southern Ocea

by Claire Glancy on 1 Nov 2015 The twelve-strong Clipper Round the World Yacht Race fleet has begun the third leg of its 14-race global series in an energetic start from Cape Town in the 4845 nautical mile Southern Ocean crossing to Western Australia, named by host port Albany the ‘Wardan Whip’ - inspired by the traditional Noongar language which means ‘ocean of southern winds’.

“Many sailors see this leg as one of the biggest challenges of the race,” said Justin Taylor, Race Director. “The conditions are massively testing and those who get it right will see exactly what the Clipper Race yachts are made of, surfing at more than 25 knots on swells bigger than buildings.”

The fleet paraded out into Table Bay following a colourful departure ceremony from the V&A Waterfront. There was a stiff 20 knots of breeze from the south out on the start line with stronger gusts over 35 knots.

First over the line was Qingdao followed by LMAX Exchange and Visit Seattle in hot pursuit. They headed inshore towards the first mark at Paarden Eiland before turning north up the bay to the Milnerton mark. From here it was back out to sea and the critical tactical decision on how far out to go to avoid becoming becalmed in the lee of Table Mountain.

“Cape Town has been amazing. It is effectively our home port and I’ve loved every minute of it. It’s a shame to leave really,” said Darren Ladd, Skipper of IchorCoal. “I think the last race was really good preparation for the Southern Ocean. We did go a long way south and we deliberately did that for the stronger winds and we got them.”

Winner of Race two and joint first on the overall leaderboard is Great Britain. Skipper Peter Thornton is looking forward to his first outing into the Southern Ocean: “It’s my first time sailing in the Southern Ocean and something I have been looking forward to. The crew is anxious about the conditions to come.

“The Southern Ocean is notorious for a reason, when we first get out there we’ll be heading into some southerlies which will sort the men from the boys and then try to get south into the Roaring Forties conveyer belt. It’s going to be tough. The important thing is to get the boat well set with the right sail plan and a feeling that we are racing at our optimum.”

Eager to perform well in this race after winning the first leg to Rio is the team aboard LMAX Exchange. French Skipper and Southern Ocean novice Olivier Cardin stated: “We had some variable conditions in the last race, the important thing is to sail fast and safe. We need to win the Scoring Gate points for a good place on the leaderboard.

“I have been dreaming of this day for a long time. I remember when I was eight years old watching the Whitbread Race and finally now it is my time. The most challenging thing will be tiredness after relentless sail changes so we will have to be mindful to keep good morale on board with each other.”

Heading home is Australian Wendy Tuck, Skipper of Da Nang – Viet Nam: “Heavy downwind sailing is going to be a big challenge on this race and knowing when to make the call to drop the spinnaker and just go with white sails. We are improving as we go along so we want to keep that momentum going. I’ve got a good feeling. I’m really looking forward to arriving into Australia. I haven’t actually been to Western Australia before but I can’t wait to get home.”

Race Director Justin Taylor added: “At the start of this race the crew will pass under the first of the World’s great capes, The Cape of Good Hope. At the end of the race they will pass under the second great cape of Leeuwin in Western Australia.”

The estimated arrival window into Albany is between 22 and 26 November.