Clipper Round the World Yacht Race fleet head to Sydney

by Clipper Ventures on 3 Dec 2013 Race 5 of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, 2150 miles from Albany, Western Australia to Sydney, got underway today, 3rd December. Race 5 is the fleet’s second dip into the Southern Ocean which will provide a final shakedown for the amateur crews before the 12-strong fleet debuts in the classic Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race – Race 6 of the series.

Following a Parade of Sail in King George Sound, GREAT Britain was first over the start line, followed by Derry~Londonderry~Doire and Qingdao in third position.

However, following the start, a racing incident was reported between PSP Logistics and GREAT Britain. Both yachts have returned to port for full damage assessment. There were no injuries on either yacht.

Eric Holden, skipper of Henri Lloyd, at the top of the leaderboard, said ahead of Race Start: 'It is a shorter leg than what we are used to so we feel we can push the boat harder and faster, and keep up the pace all the time.

'It will be good warm up training ahead of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Race which will be good. We have new crew so it will be a good chance for them to gel ahead of the race. The forecast is not the same as the nasty storms we had in Leg 3 and the conditions are more suitable so we are hoping we won’t have to worry so much about things we did in the last race.

'It looks like there will be high pressure fronts for most of the race, but it will be cold as we go south of Tasmania. We won’t be changing anything about what we have done already, but we certainly won’t be relaxing as we are only four points ahead of GREAT Britain in second place.'

The fleet is due into Sydney between 12 and 14 December. The fleet will berth at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia in Rushcutter’s Bay. Following a stopover, the fleet will then compete in the world famous Rolex Sydney Hobart Race.