Clipper Round The World race - Close racing on Day 5

by Clipper Ventures on 13 Sep 2013 In the Clipper 13-14 Race, it’s been another eventful night of close racing for the 12 strong fleet of yachts competing. With less than a mile separating the top 10 on the leader board, the race is still anyones for the taking.

Yesterday it was reported that the Clipper 70 had already set a new speed record of 30.7 knots recorded by team Henri Lloyd in the North Atlantic, eclipsing the Clipper 68 which topped 29.3 knots during Leg six in the Southern Ocean.

With this in mind it comes as no surprise that Henri Lloyd has managed to maintain the lead overnight, with Derry~Londonderry~Doire still in second place with Great Britain once again clawing its way back up the leader board to third.

Skipper of Mission Performance, Matt Mitchell, the youngest out of the 12 skippers currently lying in fifth place describes last night as providing the perfect sailing conditions.

'Nice flat sea, good sailing breeze and a clear sky with a bright moon to light our way. We were still seeing speeds of 18 knots consistently which enabled us with great enjoyment to leave another of the fleet standing in the water, as well as to gain ten miles on another. Both watches worked really hard all night and the focus on deck was palpable.

'The forecast has the weather staying much the same so I am sure fleet wide the crews and skippers are rubbing their hands in eager anticipation of the joys to come.'

PSP Logistics helping transfer spare water maker to Great Britain.

After several days racing Great Britain have reported experiencing problems with its water maker meaning they are now unable to produce any fresh water. PSP Logistics carries the fleet’s spare water maker and both yachts have now suspended racing to meet and transfer the spare parts.

The boats are approximately three miles apart and times and positions are being logged and redress will be calculated for each yacht by the Race Committee before they restart racing once they have completed the transfer.

The watermaker produces fresh water for drinking and cooking from salinated water.

Transfer of spares, fuel and water have been a feature of the Clipper Race throughout its history and this is by no means an unusual thing to do. In fact the skipper and crews practice this kind of manoeuvre in race training.