Clipper - Crew Changeover Day in Santa Cruz

by Clipper Ventures Media on 22 Apr 2008 Today marked crew changeover day for the Clipper teams in Santa Cruz as new crew joining for the next race to Panama, began arriving at Santa Cruz Harbour.

Some of them are about to join the Clipper Race for the first time, whereas others, like Liverpool 08 crew member Doris Severinghous, are returning to their boats having already competed in an earlier leg of the race. 'I'm really excited to be here!' exclaimed Doris. 'I've already participated in the race from Fremantle to Singapore and Qingdao and I can't wait to get back onboard.'

Of the 27 different nationalities represented in the Clipper Race, Doris is one of four American crew members taking part and used to live and work in San Jose, a short distance from the city of Santa Cruz. 'Joining the race here in Santa Cruz has given me the opportunity to catch up with some of my old friends and show them round the boat,' explained Doris. 'It's great for them to be able to see where I'll be spending the next few weeks.'

Durban 2010 and Beyond and westernaustralia2011.com have continued to make excellent progress towards Santa Cruz, averaging 200-miles every 24 hours. With just over 200 nautical miles left to run the two Southern Hemisphere teams are expected to arrive in Santa Cruz early tomorrow evening.

Joff Bailey, Race Director, says, 'One of the riggers from Spencer rigging, who helped us out in Hawaii, arrived here (in Santa Cruz) yesterday. He will help Durban 2010 and Beyond and westernaustralia2001.com fine tune their rigs so that they can start the race to Panama with the rest of the teams on Thursday.'

This evening the crews are attending a special prize-giving event laid on by the Santa Cruz Yacht Club.

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