Please select your home edition
Edition
Barton Marine Pipe Glands

Mixed fortunes for Clipper Race fleet as Atlantic High causes pain

by The Clipper Race on 28 Jun 2016
Race 12, Day 8 - Clipper Yacht Race – The Legenderry Finale Clipper Ventures
The frontrunners have managed to escape the grasp of the light winds associated with the ridge of the Azores High, but the back of the fleet is still suffering in its grip.

As the front of the fleet heads north the wind has been building, and the battle for positions is intense at the make or break stage of the race with roughly 1300 nautical miles to go until Derry-Londonderry.

Yesterday’s race leader ClipperTelemed+ is in Stealth Mode until 1759 UTC today, with LMAX Exchange now in first place after edging ahead of Derry~Londonderry~Doire, now second, and GREAT Britain in third.

Dan Smith, Skipper of Derry~Londonderry~Doire, chasing a rare home port win, described the last 24 hours on board in the more favourable winds which has allowed spinnakers to be flown in the North Atlantic.

“We've finally managed to clear the wind hole and now as we work our way north-east the wind is gradually building. We are still slow in the light downwind sailing due to a less than perfect lightweight spinnaker so LMAX Exchange has managed to catch us and pull away gaining 20 nautical miles over the past day.

“The wind will come back though and we'll be keeping our fingers crossed for some breezy downwind sailing to allow us to claw back some of the miles.”

Greg Miller, the Skipper of Mission Performance, in seventh, said his crew were highly motivated due to being in close company over the last day.

“It has been a fun day catching to within a few miles of GREAT Britain and Garmin and working hard to stay with them and in some cases make some quite significant gains on them.

“It’s great to be back in the fight and the Warriors are relishing the close-quarters nature of this battle, where they can see the results instantly without waiting for the six-hourly schedules.

“So we have just gybed and are heading north now hoping to 'punch' through the receding ridge of high pressure and into the freshening trade winds north of us. At which point we can re-assess the damage done by the boats on the west side of the course, who have been sitting in more favourable winds for the last 24 hours,” Greg added.



Wendy Tuck, Skipper of Da Nang – Viet Nam, in fourth, said her tactics of sailing along the ice mark where the stronger winds were forecast had not gone entirely to plan.

“Our scooting along the ice box continues today. It looks like we were on a loser. We stayed out to the west of the course, we were looking really good there for a while. But it now seems the guys further east have done much better. It’s really hard and disappointing, but that’s yacht racing.

“Right, tomorrow is a new day, we have a lot of fight left in us, and it still is a fair way to Derry-Londonderry,” Wendo added.

Which position will ClipperTelemed+ be in when it emerges from Stealth Mode?

*All positions correct as of 0900 UTC.


Hyde Sails 2024 - One DesignRooster 2025Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 350

Related Articles

18th Puig Vela Clàssica Barcelona day 1
Opening victories and nautical splendor This week, Barcelona once again takes center stage in the world of classic sailing as the 18th edition of the Puig Vela Clàssica gets under way. The opening day delivered ideal conditions for a spectacular display on the water.
Posted today at 12:28 pm
Rolex Fastnet Race: IRC Two Preview
With 73 entries in IRC Two, the Rolex Fastnet Race is set to deliver a striking display. Could two new JPK 1050s upset the apple cart in IRC Two? Jean-Pierre Kelbert has a habit of breaking the mould in IRC racing, and his new 34-footer may well be a game changer in this competitive division with 73 entries.
Posted today at 10:36 am
The Long Laser Lunch – a reunion to remember
Sailors from every state reunited over lunch like it was just another regatta weekend. Last month 93 Laser sailors from across the country gathered at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club for what became a truly unforgettable reunion.
Posted today at 10:19 am
Offshore at 16
Will Farnell, the ORCV's Youth Sailor of the Year 2025 The ORCV is proud to announce Will Farnell as the recipient of the 2025 Youth Sailor of the Year award—a young sailor whose love for the sea runs generations deep and whose commitment to the sport has already made waves far beyond his years.
Posted today at 8:52 am
Seldén Rodkicker 50 - manual rigid vang
Specifically sized for yachts between 50 and 55 feet A Rodkicker rigid vang is designed to enhance sail handling during reefing and allows for greater sail trim control.
Posted today at 8:00 am
WASZP Games 2025: Talent & fun descend on Weymouth
Poised to be the largest and most competitive in the class's history The 2025 International WASZP Games, set to take place from July 19–25 at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy, are poised to be the largest and most competitive in the class's history.
Posted today at 7:23 am
Queensland Yachting Survey 2025 Feedback
The results are in, gathering valuable insights directly from the sailing community Following this year's Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race, a group of passionate and experienced individuals from the sailing community gathered to discuss the current state of yachting in Queensland.
Posted today at 5:18 am
Transpac 2025 Update: Moon River Tonight!
The magic of offshore racing in the 2025 Transpac A vast ocean separates Los Angeles, California, from Honolulu, Hawaii, but the boats racing in this year's Transpac have now crossed the halfway mark. Race leaders are in the tradewinds and making their approach to the Aloha State.
Posted today at 12:26 am
All smiles among first finishers of the AEGEAN 600
The fastest teams crossed the finish line today at Cape Sounion As the fastest teams crossed the finish line today at Cape Sounion and made their way to the harbour at Olympic Marine, there were exhausted smiles all around.
Posted on 10 Jul
British Classic Week day 4
It was a classic Solent day in Cowes for the OneSails inshore race It was a classic Solent day in Cowes for day 4 of British Classic Week with hot temperatures, sunshine and no breeze in the morning before the sea breeze kicked in from the west and it was time to go racing.
Posted on 10 Jul