Clipper Race: A night of arrivals into the city that never sleeps
by Clipper Round the World 14 Jun 2018 22:05 PDT
Nasdaq arrives into New York © Mike Lawrence
Following the arrival of Race 11 leaders PSP Logistics, Sanya Serenity Coast and GREAT Britain, the Clipper Race fleet continued to arrive into New York throughout the night.
The close competition as the fleet raced from Panama, through the Caribbean islands and onto New York was highlighted when the battle for final podium position came down to the wire; just nine minutes lay between third placed GREAT Britain and fourth placed Unicef.
Speaking on arrival into Liberty Landing Marina, Unicef Skipper Bob Beggs said: "We had a good mixture of wind and the competition was very tight, all round a very good race.
"The team is coming together and we are working well together as a team, we are looking very confident as we complete the penultimate Leg."
Round the World crew member Seumas Kellock adds: "Race 11 was good race for the team, it was a lot more varied than I expected it to be. We didn't think we had a chance at third place, just two days ago we were 40nm behind GREAT Britain but in the end, we got very close to it."
Garmin closely followed the bright blue yacht into the city, and the fifth placed team was given a warm and lively reception by supporters and fellow Clipper Race crews. Skipper Gaetan Thomas was in good spirits, commenting: "It had a bit of everything. There was a little bit of a wind lottery at times, but we got two points in the Elliot Brown Ocean Sprint, too, which is great.
"I've never been to New York before so to go past Manhattan was incredible – the skyline is amazing.
Nasdaq was next in sixth place heading into its Team Partner's home port. On the eleventh race, circumnavigating crew member Ineke Van Der Weijden said: "There was a time that we hoped we would come in a little bit better than sixth but the Elliot Brown Ocean Sprint [which the team won, picking up three bonus race points] was awesome, we really went for it.
"We were the first boat to tack early at the start of the race which was a bit nerve wracking but soon others joined us!"
The team of HotelPlanner.com led by Conall Morrison were in excellent spirits as they entered the marina after taking seventh place. Greeted dockside by supporters and crew members, Skipper Conall Morrison praised his hard working team for keeping spirits high during the ten day dash.
The next team yacht due into the harbour is Qingdao which should emerge during daybreak local time on 14 June and will be followed by Visit Seattle, Dare To Lead and Liverpool 2018.
Full ETAs are live on the Clipper Race website.