westernaustralia.com wins Clipper Race

by Sail-World/Fast Track on 30 Jul 2006 After over ten months of ocean racing and 35,000 miles of adventure, westernaustralia.com crossed the finish line in first place position this morning [29 July} clinching the title of overall winners of the Clipper 05-06 Round the World Yacht Race. This makes them the first Australian boat in history to win an around the world Clipper race.

David Adams with an Australian designed and built boat True Blue had won his division in the BOC.

The first ever Australian entry in the Clipper Race, affectionately known as the Big Blue, left Holyhead on Friday with an unassailable lead after finishing race 12 from Jersey in 2nd place, they then continued at full pelt and arrived across the final finish line at the mouth of the River Mersey at 0704 today, claiming the extra five bonus points (Race 13).

Watch leader, Jamie Wheedon said; ‘I feel sheer excitement and relief. We set a goal early on to win this and it is a dream come true; not only to complete a circumnavigation but also to win the race. I am feeling very proud to represent Western Australia and our nation as a whole in this international sporting event.’

On crossing the line into Liverpool, Skipper Mark Preedy said; ‘I am feeling pretty good! I wanted to win this last race to get the icing on the cake; it feels very satisfying to come into Liverpool first and makes our overall win sink in all the more!’

Celebrations seem to have started early on board the Clipper 68 with a traditional Aussie beer followed by champagne.

Australian sailor David Pryce deserves much of the credit for this victory. He skippered Western Australia from the start, all the way to Subic Bay, build a strong lead, which enabled the boat to stay high on the leader boat, in spite of some lesser results for some legs until Preedy lifted the pace for the final legs.

Durban Clipper, skippered by Craig Millar, finished Race 13 in third place, securing them 2nd place overall reflecting a consistently strong performance throughout the race. A disappointing Transatlantic race from New York to Jersey, when the South Africans finished in 8th place, left the Durbanites with too much ground to catch up to reclaim the overall lead.

The battle for the final podium position was closely fought, with just one point separating New York and Liverpool 08 when they started the race last night from Holyhead to Liverpool’s Bar Lightship. However, a good performance from New York who finished in second place today meant that they claim third place overall. Liverpool 08 will take fourth and will be guaranteed a rousing welcome from the home crowd who have followed the local yacht’s fortunes throughout the last ten months.

After a brief pit stop in Holyhead the ten crews started the 60-mile overnight race from Holyhead on Friday evening. With five points still up for grabs today, a number of positions were still undecided and all the crews put in a final effort before preparing to sail up the Mersey in front of the of gathered crowds.

The ten 68-foot yachts are scheduled to arrive at Albert Dock at 12.30pm (BST) where they left from in September last year as they embarked on the race around the world.