Clipper 09-10 Race 4 Dramatic collision at the start

by Heather Ewing on 23 Nov 2009
A dramatic start to Race 4 of Clipper 09-10 in Cape Town saw eight of the boats cross the start line for the 4,700-mile race to Geraldton, Western Australia, while a collision between Hull & Humber and Cork, Ireland resulted in the two teams returning to harbour. None of the crew were hurt and the Race Director and the shore team are now assessing the damage to Hull & Humber's port aft quarter and Cork's bow.

California had another cracking start in the stiff south easterly breeze in Table Bay and was first across the line to massive cheers from the crew on board.

California was followed by Spirit of Australia, looking for a win on this race to their home port, and Team Finland. The skippers of both California and Team Finland live in Cape Town so may have been able to call on a little local knowledge to press home their advantage as they led the fleet back into the South Atlantic. As they sailed into the lee of Table Mountain, which looked magnificent in the South African sunshine, the winds dropped slightly.

The Clipper Race is hard fought and, as in any sport, the adrenaline is pumping for the crews on the start line.

Race Chairman, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, was watching the action on the water and said, 'This is a closely contested race and this kind of thing happens in fiercely competitive racing. The race is underway - eight boats are racing off towards Geraldton in Western Australia. For the two damaged boats, repairs will be effected as speedily as possible so they can catch up.'

The Clipper maintenance team, headed up by Justin Haller, has already begun assessing the damage and is in contact with local marine surveyors who will be called in to assist. Both yachts have been taken from the V&A Waterfront to Royal Cape Yacht Club for the work to be carried out.

Hearing of the incident, the Irish Ambassador to South Africa, who was in Cape Town today, has stayed in the city to support the team and is commiserating with them at the yacht club.

Edinburgh Inspiring Capital crew member, Willie Kinghorn, was the very first sailor to begin a tradition of saluting a bust of South Africa's most famous yachtsman, Bertie Reed, as they passed by on the way out of the harbour at the V&A Waterfront. The statue was unveiled at a pre-departure ceremony in Cape Town this morning and a proud Willie, from Drumbrae, was thrilled to be standing at the bow of the boat to pay his team's respects.

Getting ready to leave the port he said, 'This is stunning - I'm just like a kid on Christmas morning. The hardest point in this race will be leaving the boat in Australia and I'm dreading it. This has been such a long time coming and I'm just so emotional about this. I've been asked to do the salute for Bertie Reed up at the bow - I'm the man! I could cry right now - I'm really on edge and loving it all.'

Cape Town has proved a huge hit with the crews who have enjoyed climbing Table Mountain - and abseiling down its sheer granite rock face - visiting Robben Island, the gardens at Kirstenbosch. And a few even had the chance to take an exclusive, behind the scenes tour of the brand new Cape Town Stadium which is being built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

As much as they love visiting the stopover cities and countries, the crews are here to race and this morning they were anxious to get back out on the water. As the eight teams who crossed the start line, which was marked at one end by a South African Navy minesweeper, headed back out into the South Atlantic, the current overall race leader Team Finland was just ahead of California. Spirit of Australia, in second place overall, was just behind them in third place, followed by the eagle-emblazoned Cape Breton Island, Uniquely Singapore and Qingdao. Jamaica Lightning Bolt and Edinburgh Inspiring Capital were not far behind.

The teams will round the Cape of Good Hope before heading down into the treacherous waters of the Southern Ocean where the first three boats to reach the scoring gate can gain some precious extra points. The fleet is expected to arrive in Geraldton, Western Australia, between 14 and 18 December.

Standings after Race 3
1. Team Finland 29 points
2. Spirit of Australia 26 points
3. Hull & Humber 21 points
4. Cork 20 points
5. Jamaica Lightning Bolt 20 points
6. Uniquely Singapore 17 points
7. Cape Breton Island 16 points
8. Qingdao 11 points
9. Edinburgh Inspiring Capital 8 points
10. California 4 points

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