Leaders emerge through the fog

by Clipper event media on 20 Jun 2008 The fleet has struggled for the last 48 hours in light and fickle winds that constantly change direction and are made worse by thick fog banks that are synonymous with the Grand Banks. The recent conditions have caused constant changes to the positions on the leaderboard as each team battles to get the best out of the winds available.

Battling hard to finish two places ahead of New York in order to regain pole position on the overall leaderboard is Hull & Humber. The team sponsored by Yorkshire Forward currently has their closest competitors in their sights as they receive temporary respite from the thick fog that has plagued them since the race start in Sydney. Skipper of Hull & Humber, Danny Watson, says, 'We’re presently sailing in seven knots of breeze from the south west. The fog has finally cleared and we have sight of New York, Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper, Jamaica and Qingdao.

Not so fortunate is westernaustralia2011.com as reports back from the boat suggest that they are still in the thick of the fog. Skipper Martin Silk, says, 'Soup for breakfast, soup for lunch - enough of the pea soup please! Its been a day of floating around with sail changes; windseeker to spinnaker, spinnaker to yankee; no wind, slow wind, good wind, bad wind; no two hours have been the same. The weather gods have not been playing ball, let’s hope that changes soon.'

The temperatures continue to drop as the crews continue their vigilant lookout for icebergs. Skipper of Durban 2010 and Beyond, Ricky Chalmers, says, 'It has got very cold on and below decks, around two degrees Celsius if the various thermometers on board are to be believed. There is still no sign of ice although we have six Clippers in sight.'

Joff Bailey, Race Director, says, 'With the winds forecasted to become more constant over the next couple of days it is expected that the boats average speeds will increase and they will start to make better progress to Cork.'

Sir Robin recently launched his search for skippers for the 09-10 Clipper Race, if you have what it takes to lead a team of novice sailors on a ten-month race around the world then please contact him on sirrobinknoxjohnston(at)clipper-ventures.com

Berths are now available for the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race. Those interested in participating in the world’s only round the yacht race for non-professionals can find out more by contacting Clipper Ventures on +44 (0) 2392 526000 or email oceanracer(at)clipperroundtheworld.com.