Winds increase as WA Clipper joins the fleet

by Clipper event media on 21 Jun 2008
The entire fleet is starting to make better progress now the teams have cleared Newfoundland and head north east to follow the great circle route as closely as possible. Ben Galloway, skipper of Liverpool 08, says, 'It’s windy! We’re currently doing nine knots close to the great circle route and we’re only a few miles behind the leaders.'

In a dramatic change of course, westernaustralia2011.com headed north west overnight as the Western Australian team decided to cut their loses and join the rest of the fleet. Although this move has caused them to drop down the leaderboard the big blue boat is now back with the rest of the pack and should not lose any more ground.

Although the teams are making better progress, fog is still an issue for many of the boats. Skipper of New York, Duggie Gillespie, says, 'The radar is working overtime in the fog, along with the operators, looking for other clipper boats, fishing gear, possible icebergs or other vessels. It is the coldest it has been so far on this leg and racing is close as we trade places with nearby Jamaica.'

Jamaica, New York and Qingdao are leading the fleet but Qingdao’s more southerly position is a double edged sword, providing them with a chance of better wind angles but a greater risk of falling into the middle of the latest low pressure system which is currently chasing the fleet.

Skpper of Qingdao, Marcus Cholerton-Brown, says, 'It’s a bit nippy but a great 24 hours of racing as tacking duals in the fog bring on their own special challenges! The fog cleared for a moment and the TV game became reality with all ten boats still in sight. Marvellous.'

Joff Bailey, Race Director, says, 'This final ocean race is critical in the fight for overall podium positions in Clipper 07-08. If the boats were to finish in their current positions then the overall podium positions would not change. It is almost irrelevant where Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper, Hull & Humber and New York finish in Race 13, what is more important is where they finish in respect to each other. Hull & Humber needs to be two places in front of New York to regain the top spot and Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper needs to finish as far ahead of the other two as possible if they have any chance of gaining the overall win in Liverpool.'

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@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@clipperroundtheworld.com.

Latest positions and full leaderboard can be viewed at www.clipperroundtheworld.com.