Clipper Round the World Race fleet prepare for challenging conditions

by Amy Martindale on 21 Jun 2012 Clipper 2011-12 Round the World Yacht Race fleet are on day six of race thirteen from Nova Scotia to Derry-Londonderry. What a difference a day makes in the life of an ocean racer as the ten international teams have been doing all they can to keep approaching tropical storm ‘Chris’ at bay.

In the last 24 hours, the fleet has received warning that ‘Chris’, which was expected to pass by, has been moving closer towards them and could produce further challenging conditions. Meteorologist and winning skipper of the Clipper Race in 2002, Simon Rowell, reports, 'Today should be the strongest day of tropical storm ‘Chris’, with it forecasted to start curving northwards, reaching its furthest point east by midnight tonight. Depending where each team is positioned the centre could get pretty close to them, and even though the winds won't be more than they have seen many times before, the speed of change in wind direction and the confusion will add to the sea state which will make helming quite challenging.'

With the tropical storm in sight, the teams have been busy plotting their best course to move away from its path whilst not jeopardising their position on the leader board, as well as carrying out preparations on board for the potential heavy upwind sailing.

Gold Coast Australia, Singapore and Welcome to Yorkshire continue to lead the pack, whilst Visit Finland has emerged from its period in Stealth Mode in the middle of the leader board.

At 0500GMT this morning, Qingdao crew member Lynn Harmer had a fall below decks and sustained an injury. Lynn is in a stable condition and is being looked after by a medically qualified crew member on board. The yacht is in contact with Falmouth Coast Guard and the Clipper Race Office.

As a precaution Qingdao has changed course towards Newfoundland (approx. 450 miles north west) to get Lynn closer to shore based medical support if it is required. If her condition improves, a decision may be taken to resume racing towards Derry-Londonderry. Further updates will be posted on the website.

The Clipper Race fleet is set to arrive into Derry-Londonderry, Northern Ireland between 29 June and 1 July.

Latest boat positions (0900 UTC)

Position	Team	DTF	DTL
1	Gold Coast Australia	1406NM	0NM position at 0800 UTC
2	Welcome to Yorkshire	1432NM	26NM position at 0800 UTC
3	Singapore	1435NM	29NM
4	Geraldton Western Australia	1483NM	77NM
5	Visit Finland	1533NM	126NM
6	Qingdao	1555NM	149NM
7	Derry-Londonderry	1576NM	170NM
8	De Lage Landen	1595NM	189NM
9	Edinburgh Inspiring Capital	1608NM	202NM
10	New York	1646NM	240NM

Full positions are updated every three hours and can be found online along with daily skipper Clipper Round the World Yacht Race website