Clipper Round the World Yacht Race - Fleet set for race to New York

by Clipper Round the World Yacht Race on 11 May 2012 The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race fleet are all set to start a race from one world famous icon to another. Once they complete their transit of the Panama Canal, they’ll start Race 11 to New York.

'Once the fleet has transited the 51 miles of the Panama Canal, the yachts will set off on a one-sided upwind battle north, leaving Jamaica on the port side before heading into lighter winds near the Windward Passage which marks the exit from the Caribbean Sea into the Atlantic Ocean,' explains Race Director Joff Bailey.

With Race 11 start schedule for Friday this race will test the crew’s skills yet again.

'Once out of the Caribbean the racing crews will experience wind from every point of the compass as the yachts head away from the steady Caribbean trade winds into the variable winds associated with the depressions coming from the North American land mass.

'Many sail changes will be required to keep the boat going as fast as possible in the right direction. Throw in the Gulf Stream, which can reach speeds of more than three knots, and it makes a very interesting race for those watching at home – and a very stressful one for those taking part.

'Thunder storms are likely to provide some spectacular backdrops with the air alive with static and lightning cracking into the sea around the finish line in the Ambrose Channel at the entrance to New York.'

The final three yachts, Singapore, De Lage Landen and Derry-Londonderry, started their transit of the Panama Canal this morning. Once they have completed their transit they will meet the rest of the fleet on the Caribbean side of the canal and motor offshore for a Le Mans start for Race 11, to New York.

Clipper Round the World Yacht Race website