Clipper New York first into Cork

by Clipper event media on 29 Jun 2008
New York has scored the fifth victory of their Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race campaign to consolidate their overall lead in the competition. The yacht crossed the finish line at Crosshaven, Co.Cork, Ireland at 1159 local time (1059 GMT) today at the end of the 2,080-mile race across the North Atlantic from Nova Scotia, Canada. in Race 13.

Skipper Duggie Gillespie said, 'We were aware of the situation between us and Hull & Humber at the start and it’s all part of a plan. The guys have focused, worked really hard out there, shown lots of teamwork and executed well. The team produced the goods. They’re all really happy.'

New York was locked in a three-way battle with Qingdao and Hull & Humber for the majority of the race across the North Atlantic. Duggie said, 'You know what’s happening in the overall stakes and I can’t deny that in many respects I didn’t enjoy it because you couldn’t really enjoy the sailing. You’re looking at numbers and trying to optimise everything all of the time and not break anything. That was key, I think – not break anything and we didn’t. But it’s just plotting and scheming and staying in contact and positioning the boat. We’ve pushed this boat harder this leg than any others – again it’s in the plan.'

Qingdao‘s second place finish means they move into fourth place overall, leapfrogging Durban 2010 and Beyond who finished eighth and drop down to sixth overall, and Liverpool 08, who maintain fifth place overall and trail the Chinese team by just one point.

Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper finished in seventh place which was enough to secure at least third place overall. Mathematically they could still overtake Hull & Humber.

Following the 12-day race from Nova Scotia, during which the yachts faced a variety of conditions including fog, light winds and gales, the crews will enjoy some time to relax in Crosshaven and the wider environs of County Cork ahead of the final sprint to Liverpool, where the arrival on Saturday 5 July will form part of the city’s European Capital of Culture 2008 celebrations.

The Royal Cork Yacht Club, the oldest yacht club in the world, welcomed the crews with burgers and kegs of Heineken, which will also be flowing freely at the official welcome party and prize giving ceremony on Tuesday 1 July.

http://www.clipperroundtheworld.com