Jamacia extends lead on Clipper fleet

by Clipper Event media on 2 Feb 2008 Jamaica's rich vein of form has continued overnight and they have managed to extend their lead to more than 50 nautical miles at midday (GMT) today. 'The pressure of being in the front is very different from the pressure of being
at the back,' reports Jamaica skipper, Simon Bradley. 'First of all you have to navigate! But it is a pressure that we are very happy to adapt to, given the chance. One Love!'

While Simon and his crew are enjoying their current position out at the front of the fleet, the fight going on behind them for second place is intense. Currently Uniquely Singapore, Hull & Humber and Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper are all showing an equal Distance to Finish and are so close they can see each other across the water. With New York only a further three miles back and second to tenth places separated by approximately 30 nautical miles, this race is brewing up to be one of the most exciting yet.

Following this morning's 0600 position reports from the fleet, Uniquely Singapore's skipper, Mark Preedy said, 'The crew are over the moon to be in the top three this morning. It has justified all the hard work they have put in. They have never questioned a sail change or a tactical decision. In fact they actively seek the risky strategies just to be different. And it has worked. We know that it is all very close and that things could change in one sched but ninth to third is just brilliant.'

All of the yachts have to keep clear of the exclusion zone around the Spratly Islands before they make a beeline for the southern edge of Taiwan which they have to leave to port.

The forecast winds for this region are influenced by the northeast monsoon so the fleet will continue sailing upwind for at least the next week.

Race Director Joff Bailey says, 'Upwind sailing is hard, physical sailing as the boats are at a constant angle of heel and constantly bashing into waves which break over the boat. So it is wet, uncomfortable and very hot and humid at the moment.'

The first of the yachts are due to arrive in Qingdao on 14 February where they will be berthed in the marina that has been constructed to host the sailing events of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games later this year.

Berths are now available for the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race. For more information call David Cusworth, crew recruitment manager, on +44 (0) 2392 526 000 or email oceanracer(at)clipperroundtheworld.com.
www.clipperroundtheworld.com.

Team Distance to finish
1 Jamaica - 1835
2 Glasgow:Scotland with style - 1891
3 Uniquely Singapore - 1892
4 Hull & Humber - 1893
5 New York - 1897
6 Durban 2010 and Beyond - 1903
7 Nova Scotia - 1917
8 Liverpool 08 -1917
9 Qingdao - 1921
10 westernaustralia2011.com - 1925