Clipper Round the World Yacht Race: Great Britain edges Nasdaq in photo finish
by Clipper Round the World 16 Dec 2017 20:51 AEDT
16 December 2017
2017-18 Clipper Round the World Race © Clipper Race
In a finish that will go down in Clipper Race history, Great Britain has beaten Nasdaq to eighth place by just seconds in a thrilling photo finish on Sydney Harbour.
After 2,500 nautical miles and two weeks of racing, incredibly Great Britain and Nasdaq were neck and neck as they entered the Sydney Heads. Both teams refused to give an inch as they made the most of light winds on Sydney Harbour, but in the end, it was Great Britain who just edged in front as the two teams went across the Finish Line. The official time provided by the Clipper Race Office have Great Britain crossing the finish line at 16:29:21 (05:29:21 UTC), just ahead of Nasdaq.
"It was exhilarating, it was absolutely amazing," says Great Britain round the world crew member Pip O'Sullivan.
"We couldn't believe it when we came round the Sydney Heads into Sydney Harbour and we suddenly had Nasdaq right on our starboard side! And then they crept ahead of us; we couldn't believe that we had travelled thousands of miles and then this happened!
"Obviously when we were in the harbour, trying to negotiate our way through all the boats, all the little dinghies, and gybing at literally exactly at the same time as each other. It was so exciting.
I couldn't believe it when I heard we had finished in front. I was so sure that they'd pipped us to the post so that was very exciting and we did a massive celebration on board. It's still only eighth place but every point counts."
Luise Birgelen, who is doing Legs 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 on board Great Britain, says: "We are really happy to be here and what a fantastic way to finish! We really hoped we had got it."
Great Britain round the world crew member Tessa Hicks added: "What a wonderful race right to the end. It was fantastic!
"We've had every sort of condition in just the last few watches. We've been becalmed, we've had rough weather, and we've had a champagne sail. What a great race."
Whilst disappointed to just narrowly miss out on eighth place, it was still a great finish for Nasdaq who just days ago had sat in eleventh place on the leader board. The team managed to navigate the light airs off the east coast of Tasmania and close down a 30 nautical mile deficit to overtake both Liverpool 2018 and HotelPlanner.com.
Nasdaq Skipper Rob Graham says: "We had a bit of everything in that race. We had a lot of wind holes and a few rough days, as well a second trip down to the Southern Ocean and a finish as close as you can get.
"We spent the last two or three days within sight of other boats all the way from Tasmania to the finish inside Sydney Harbour. I think we sneaked it over the line, but Andy Burns may have other things to say! In all seriousness, well done to both teams. It's great to be in Sydney, my first time here, and what a way to arrive!"