Clipper Round the World Race fleet hampered by inconsistent winds

by Heather Ewing on 22 May 2012 Clipper 2011-12 Round the World Yacht Race fleet are on the eighth day of race eleven from Panama to New York. It has been an eventful 24 hours for the ten international teams as tactical manoeuvres and inconsistent winds continue to hamper the fleet’s progress and shake up the leader board.

Edinburgh Inspiring Capital has been busy celebrating after entering Stealth Mode overnight, knocking Visit Finland off the top spot, allowing it to claim first place for the first time in race eleven.

On board, skipper Flavio Zamboni reports the team’s desire to maintain its lead, 'Outplaying the other teams will be long and hard but we're up for the challenge.'

Geraldton Western Australia remains determined to hold onto third place, with only two miles separating it from nearest competitor De Lage Landen. As light fickle winds continue to frustrate Welcome to Yorkshire, De Lage Landen has been enjoying more consistent conditions as the fight for third position plays on.

Qingdao’s crew members were relieved to experience more consistent wind after a small rip in their lightweight spinnaker threatened to jeopardise their chance of challenging De Lage Landen for fourth place. The Chinese team were quick to hoist their medium weight spinnaker and hope to repair the damaged sail as soon as possible.

The Race Viewer clearly illustrates how the fleet continues to manoeuvre their way through the Bahamian Islands.

With just over 800 miles to the finish line near New York for current fleet leader Edinburgh Inspiring Capital, thoughts of seeing family and friends continue to spur the teams on as all three podium positions for race eleven are still up for grabs.

Latest boat positions (1200 UTC)
Position Team - DTF / DTL
1 Edinburgh Inspiring Capital - 791nm / 0nm
2 Visit Finland - 994nm / 3nm
3 Geraldton Western Australia - 830nm / 38nm
4 De Lage Landen - 834nm / 42nm
5 Qingdao - 845nm / 54nm
6 Derry- Londonderry - 852nm / 61nm
7 New York - 878nm / 87nm
8 Welcome to Yorkshire - 920nm / 128nm
9 Singapore - 921nm / 129nm
10 Gold Coast Australia - 932nm / 141nm Stealth Mode: position at 1800 21 May

Full positions are updated every three hours and can be found online.

www.clipperroundtheworld.com/" target="_blank">Clipper Round the World Yacht Race website