Clipper Fleet head into final port

Clipper Fleet head into final port - Liverpool

by Event media on 5 Jul 2008

Qingdao crew enjoy some great sailing - Clipper 07-08 Clipper Ventures PLC . http://www.clipperroundtheworld.com

After just over twenty four hours of racing up the Irish Sea from Cork to Liverpool only 14 miles separate the entire Clipper fleet, as they battle for the final three podium positions in the biennial 35,000-mile Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.

New York and Uniquely Singapore are leading the fleet, but with three boats just one mile behind, there is no room for complacency. Amongst the pack chasing the two leading boats is Liverpool 08. The Liverpool team, skippered by Ben Galloway, is fighting for a victory into their home port ten months after they set sail from the Mersey in September last year.

The fleet are currently experiencing fast reaching conditions in a Force 3 from the south west as they make their way towards Liverpool. The boats are going a lot faster than expected averaging approximately nine knots since they started Race 14 from Cork at midday yesterday, but they are sailing an ‘elastic course’ that can be adapted according to the conditions.

The ten teams will race around a number of pre-determined marks in Liverpool Bay before the overall winner of the race is decided. The first boats will cross the finish line at the Bar Buoy at the mouth of the Mersey from 01:00 GMT on Saturday.

Race Director Joff Bailey said: 'The racing is incredibly close out there with only three miles separating the top six boats. It is going to be a tight finish and all the teams are battling to be the first across the line in this crucial final race. Nobody is willing to concede an inch and it looks like it is going to go right to the line.'

Nova Scotia has been deducted two points from their overall tally for receiving a replacement main sail in Sydney after damaging their own. The Race Committee penalised the Nova Scotia team after they received a fleet spare mail sail before departing from Nova Scotia for the final Atlantic crossing.

Clipper - Positions - DTF - DTL at 15:00 hrs, 4 July 2008

1 New York 62 0
2 Uniquely Singapore 64 2
3 Hull & Humber 67 5
4 Qingdao 69 7
5 Liverpool 08 70 8
6 Glasgow:Scotland with style 72 10
7 Jamaica 75 13
8 Durban 2010 and Beyond 76 14
9 westernaustralia2011.com 80 18
10 Nova Scotia 80 18
If you want to link to this article then please use this URL: www.sail-world.com/46066

Related Articles

59th Congressional Cup at Long Beach Day 2
First four advance to quarter-finals Closing out the opening round-robin stage of the 59th Congressional Cup today in Long Beach, the top four teams - Ian Williams/ GBR, Jeppe Borch/ DEN, Dave Hood/ USA and Gavin Brady/ USA, each advance to the Quarter-final stage of the event.
Posted today at 3:40 am Finns and French finish Ocean Globe Race
Galiana WithSecure and Evrika excape the windhole 40nm from the finish line It was a long, painfully slow final two days to complete their circumnavigation. But, finally, Galiana WithSecure FI (06) and Evrika FR (07) crossed the Royal Yacht Squadron finish line in a moody windless, moonlight Cowes arrival.
Posted on 25 Apr No major fears for Sunday's Transat CIC start
There will be no initial gales to contend with, rather a relatively light winds start As all of the Transat CIC skippers convened this morning at Lorient's La Base for the main briefing before Sunday's start of the 3,500 miles solo race across the North Atlantic to New York, ideas about the weather are the main topic of discussion.
Posted on 25 Apr Last Chance Regatta at Hyères, France Day 5
Sister act seals Olympic spot in windsurfing Czech sisters Katerina and Barbora Svikova took gold and silver in the three-rider final of the women's windsurfing competition on day five of the Last Chance Regatta in the south of France.
Posted on 25 Apr US Sailing Team at the Last Chance Regatta day 5
Lyons, Edegran punch their tickets to Paris 2024 Day five of French Olympic Week brought chills and thrills for the US sailors. The Men's iQFOiL and Men's Formula Kite athletes secured USA country qualification amid a chilly, classic French Mistral wind with 15-20 knots out of the west.
Posted on 25 Apr Edgartown Race Weekend attracting a good mix
A strong return of past participants and an energetic influx of new teams A strong return of past participants and an energetic influx of new teams (30% as of press time) says a lot about Edgartown Race Weekend on Martha's Vineyard, coming up June 20-22.
Posted on 25 Apr The must-do Rolex Middle Sea Race
The start of 45th edition is six months away Starting from Grand Harbour, Valletta, the Mediterranean's premier 600-mile classic promises much and always over delivers for participants and spectators alike.
Posted on 25 Apr American Magic's AC75 Race Boat Uncloaked
Commissioning of B3 continues in Barcelona New York Yacht Club American Magic, Challenger for the 37th America's Cup, uncloaked its AC75 race boat, "B3," as commissioning continues in Barcelona.
Posted on 25 Apr RS Tera Worlds 2024 already breaking records
Selling out more than 3 months in advance of the event In a record-breaking first for the International RS Tera Class, the RS Tera World Championship 2024 registration has reached maximum capacity - selling out more than 3 months in advance of the event.
Posted on 25 Apr Lunven and Soudée on the dockside in Lorient
Preparing for a classic north Atlantic passage in the Transat CIC Once again La Base marina in Lorient, Brittany – the main home of the IMOCA fleet – is a hive of activity as 33 boats and their skippers prepare for the daunting challenge of the North Atlantic alone.
Posted on 25 Apr