Clipper 09-10 Qingdao will reach San Francisco today

by Clipper Ventures Plc on 2 Apr 2010 For another of the crews competing in the Clipper 2009-10 Round the World Yacht Race, the trials of the North Pacific are almost at an end. Qingdao, who ventured furthest north of all the teams, is expected to cross the finish line later today, 5,600 miles and 31 days after leaving Qingdao, China.

Reflecting on what that means for him and his crew, skipper Chris Stanmore-Major, writes, 'Can it be that finally Race 7 is drawing to a close for us? That the mammoth leg that we knew from the start would always be the hardest, is finally at its end and that we have come through, undamaged, unhurt and with an eye on the podium after enduring so much, for what seems like so long?'

'It seems somewhat odd to think that this time tomorrow night, we will be moored up in the calm of the San Francisco Marina with a beer in hand, telling tall tales of even taller waves, of wind and weather. Reveling in the view of the Golden Gate Bridge and the scent of the land. Our sturdy vessel that has borne us across the fury of the North Pacific in winter will rest, silent and unmoving, after a month of thunderous crashes, as she leapt clear of the mighty ocean swells and sickening shudders as she was swamped again and again by thousands of tons of frigid water and again and again, pulled up her head and sped on.'

'The crew will get a full night's sleep in bunks laid flat, not angled to try to corral the incumbent sleeper and prevent them from being flung bodily across the cabin. They will not be catapulted against the deck head repeatedly as the boat lurches across another wave set, or summoned on deck to wrestle with a whirlwind of cold, heavy Dacron on the bow, soaked and freezing, looking out at nothing but the savage white-faced waves and the storm rent clouds thundering by them, thousands of miles from anywhere. Maybe, maybe.'

'But for now there is a full moon burning, more squall clouds on the horizon, the Yankee two is full to bursting with 30 knots and pulling like a locomotive, 5,000 meters of pitch black water lie beneath us and the competition are still hard on our heels.'

'We may be nearly there, but at least we are granted one more spectacular night of sailing in conditions few sailors will ever experience.'

Qingdao is expected to cross the finish line near the North Fallarone Islands off the California coast, at approximately 17:00 local time, this afternoon (0000 GMT). They are expected in the marina between 20:00 and 22:00 local time tonight (0300 - 0500 GMT Friday 2nd April).

Jamaica Lightning Bolt, just 95 miles behind the Chinese boat, is expected to cross the finish line between ten and twelve hours later. Their ETA will be updated on the official race website: www.clipperroundtheworld.com

Uniquely Singapore is also expected in port over the Easter weekend. Skipper Jim Dobie says, 'We've had a great run in the last 24 hours with the cold front coming through and the expected stronger winds that came with it saw us finally break the magic 500 mile mark. From now on, it looks like the high will once again dominate and we are hoping the wind will not ease off too much for our final approach into San Francisco. From the GRIB files, we should have lighter winds tonight and tomorrow, before another cold front comes through, which should give us wind all the way in.'

'So now the game of when will we get there starts, and we are all hoping to get the conditions for a spinnaker run under the bridge to finish this epic race.'

Uniquely Singapore's crew have added to that game today, April Fool's Day, as they, Spirit of Australia, Hull & Humber and Edinburgh Inspiring Capital, opted to use their Stealth Mode from the 06:00 position report. Team Finland's report this morning, of rationing tea bags and a dire shortage of wet wipes may also have been slightly over-egged.

It is a little light relief for all and the chance to raise a smile, after what has been an extremely testing leg. Throughout it all, the sheer grit, determination and seamanship of the crews has shone through. Spirit of Australia and Hull & Humber are currently escorting California, with Edinburgh Inspiring Capital closing in on the trio too.

California was dismasted when she was rolled 120 degrees by a huge wave last Sunday. Following the incident, two of the crew members were transported to the Nord Nightingale, a Danish registered tanker. Clive Cockram and Dennis Flynn are now back on dry land after the merchant vessel docked in Long Beach, California, yesterday morning. Both are well; Dennis has flown home to New York but is
planning to come back to San Francisco to see his fellow crew arrive, while Clive has had treatment for his head injury in Los Angeles and is hoping it will have healed to allow him to rejoin California in San Francisco in time for the start of the next race.

Hull & Humber skipper, Piers Dudin, has also arrived back home in the UK. He is recovering well after two operations to pin his leg, which was broken when he was washed across the deck of Hull & Humber. Now addicted to watching his team's progress on the Race Viewer, he is waiting patiently for his bones to heal and hopes to be back on board the big orange boat before the end of the race and the triumphant arrival on the Humber on 17th July. Justin Taylor will assume skipper duties while Piers is on the mend.

POSITIONS AT 12:00 UTC, THURSDAY 1 APRIL 2010

1 Cape Breton Island FINISHED: 14:25 UTC, Tuesday 30 March 2010
2 Qingdao DTF 105 DTL +105
3 Jamaica Lightning Bolt DTF 198 DTL +198
4 Uniquely Singapore DTF 482 DTL +482 (at 06:00 - in Stealth Mode)
5 California DTF 650 DTL +650 (at 11:00)
6 Hull & Humber DTF 707 DTL +707 (at 06:00 - in Stealth Mode)
7 Spirit of Australia DTF 708 DTL +708 (at 06:00 - in Stealth Mode)
8 Edinburgh Inspiring Capital DTF 748 DTL +748 (at 06:00 - in Stealth Mode)
9 Team Finland DTF 3034 DTL +3034
10 Cork Did not start

(DTF = Distance to Finish, DTL = Distance to Leader)
Full positions are updated every three hours and can be found at: www.clipperroundtheworld.com.

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