Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race - California receives award

by Clipper Ventures PLC on 20 Nov 2009
Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race crews gathered at the Royal Cape Yacht Club for the prize giving ceremony. Capetonian group, the Conscious Marimba Band, brought a little local colour to proceedings, playing as crews and guests arrived ahead of the ceremony.

Commodore of the Royal Cape Yacht Club, John Martin, welcomed the crews, saying, 'Clipper is very special to Cape Town and to South Africa; Sir Robin Knox-Johnston has been a friend to Royal Cape Yacht Club for as long as I’ve known him. As you people know, at sea it teaches you leadership, it teaches you perseverance, it teaches you tolerance but, at the end of the day, after a long voyage like you guys are going through, it will be a life-enhancing experience which you will never forget. The brotherhood of the sea is what brings us all together from different nations and cities around the world.'

Representing the City of Cape Town at the prize giving was Alderman Felicity Purchase, who said, 'It is a great privilege for us to have you here with us tonight and to have you in Cape Town for a stopover. On behalf of the Mayor of Cape Town and all our residents, we want to thank you and we hope that you have a wonderful stay here. You’ve seen a few of the sights already and some of you have had a bird’s eye view from the top of the mountain and I hope you’ll see more before you leave again. We certainly do understand the value of having an event like Clipper in Cape Town. Next year we have our big event, 2010 World Cup soccer, and I hope you’ll tell your friends and families so that they will visit Cape Town.'

Founder of the Clipper Race and the first man to sail solo and non-stop around the world, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston has been to Cape Town many times and the city holds a special place in his heart. He said, 'What a great pleasure it is to see John again – we’ve raced each other over the years and had a lot of fun together; Royal Cape Yacht Club has always been a hospitable club and a very special place.

'To the city of Cape Town – thanks so much. Cape Town is rightly known as the ‘Tavern of the Seas’ and it’s always been a great resting place, a great recuperation place. It is a great port – it was my first foreign port in the Merchant Navy and I’ve never forgotten that. The atmosphere here is really very special and I’ve sailed in and out of here a few times since.'

Addressing the crews directly, Sir Robin asked, 'Do you realise now, you’ve crossed the Atlantic twice? Back in the forties people who crossed the Atlantic were treated as heroes. You’ve done it and most of you have done it twice. That is a major achievement! If you think the average sailor in Britain probably doesn’t sail 3,000 miles in a year – look at the miles you’ve already put under your keels. I hope you’ve had some really great adventures along the way; I hope you’ve done things you’re going to remember and I hope you’ve met people you’re going to stay friends with the rest of your life. That’s what sailing’s about.

'Well done – it is a great achievement. I congratulate you all. Lots more to come of course – but you’re getting pretty hardened now, salt getting into your veins. You’ll see it through! Good luck on the next leg.'

And so, down to the handing out of the prizes. First, though, there was a special award to present and it was met by huge cheers when the skipper of California was called to the stage to collect the Merit Award for Outstanding Seamanship from Alderman Felicity Purchase.

'You sailed the last 1,100 miles under emergency steering and then I heard you had problems with the winds we’ve had over the last few days so you really deserve this,' she told Cape Town resident, Pete Rollason.

Pete had a few words for the audience, and for his crew. 'Thank you to all the other crews for all your support. I know we’ve had a tough time over the last couple of legs – your emails and everything else has been wonderful,' he said. 'Sir Robin was saying about heroes crossing the Atlantic; these guys are heroes (pointing to his crew). Thank you.'

Round the world crew member Arthur Bowers received the Mayor of Cape Town’s Team Spirit Award on behalf of the crew of Hull & Humber for their successful recovery of him when he was washed into the South Atlantic during the race from Rio de Janeiro.

In traditional reverse order, the crews of third placed Uniquely Singapore and second placed Team Finland were called up on stage to collect their pennants before the winners of Race 3, Cork, Ireland, took to the podium to celebrate their victory.

Skipper of the Irish entry, Richie Fearon, said, 'I think for everyone that was out there it was great sailing, good racing and great winds and we all enjoyed it. All credit to my guys – I could not wish for a better crew. They got us here in first place, which is brilliant. Out there, they kept the boat going and kept the boat going quick - it was absolutely fabulous. Guys, fair play, this is your victory, nothing to do with me.'

Never able to resist a quip, Richie had a message for the other skippers: 'If you just keep the same positions for the rest of the race, we’ll be happy!'

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