Please select your home edition
Edition
Hyde Sails 2024 - One Design

The Clipper Race Leg 4 - Race 5, Day 2: Together for christmas

by Clipper Round the World Race 24 Dec 2019 05:23 PST 24 December 2019
The Clipper Race Leg 4 - Race 5, Day 2 © Clipper Race

All Clipper Race teams are racing again and making their way to Airlie Beach meaning Race 5: The Whitsundays, Heart of the Great Barrier Reef, is officially on.

The remaining teams departed Fremantle, with a 1500 race start, exactly 48 hours after the first eight boats departed. The first team to cross the line was Unicef, shortly followed by Punta del Este and then Visit Sanya, China.

Meanwhile for all other teams, it's been a mixed bag of success with weather frustrations hampering progress. Most have been battling their way through wind-holes and trying to use the challenging conditions to their advantage to get ahead of the game. Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam has taken the early lead, with GoToBermuda and Zhuhai hot on its heels.

In a blog debut, Zhuhai First Mate, James Finney, wrote of the team's weather and wind-hole struggles: "Dawn broke, with the boat gliding along at a gentle pace, not a sound but the gentle hush of the sea beneath her hull and the sea an inky black flecked with the burning gold of the rising sun. We then realised that we were in fact not racing and the gentle pace were doing had in fact come to a grinding halt!" It was all hands on deck to try garner something from the becalmed situation."

Zhuhai are not alone in their plight. WTC Logistics too has been thwarted by the weather but has also been utilising the conditions to its advantage with Skipper Rich Gould saying: "These slightly lighter conditions are an ideal environment to learn things like engine checks, and a great opportunity for crew to get familiar with the nav station." The Skipper then went on to say: "The big question that remains on Christmas Eve is will Santa be bringing us a lovely present of wind from the west?! I seriously hope so."

All teams have been celebrating Christmas Eve in their own ways, and there is much talk of Christmas trees, lights and tinsel. Josh Stickland, Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam Skipper spoke jovially of its attempts to bring in some festive cheer: "I just had the idea making snowflakes (where you fold the paper four times and cut chunks out) can you imagine the mess? I have also been fore-warned, about the fake snow (sigh)..."

The Clipper Race teams will spend their Christmas Day aboard their 70s with their crew, and will make the most of the experience whilst racing against each other. For all the festive cheer from on board, don't forget to check the crew blogs on the individual team hubs. Also, follow the Race Viewer to see how the teams get on this Christmas, all aboard!

Related Articles

Clipper Round the World Yacht Race gets underway
The 2025-26 editiondeparted Portsmouth, UK, on Sunday A true test of human endeavour, 20 sailing professionals departed Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth, on Sunday leading their ten teams, formed of non-professional sailors, on the eleven-month endurance challenge around the world. Posted on 4 Sep
Everyday people set out on lifechanging race
Non-professional sailors embark on 40,000nm yacht race today Live event happening today - Non-professional sailors embark on 40,000nm yacht race. Posted on 31 Aug
Family fun and a farewell to local legends
Join us at Gunwharf Quays for a fun-filled weekend of festivities Raced by people from all walks of life, including plumbers, teachers, chefs and former funeral directors, the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race gets under way this Sunday 31 August from Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth. Posted on 27 Aug
UK Gov, Brand Scotland & Diageo enter Clipper Race
The event will be utilised as a global platform to boost economic growth The UK Government's Scotland Office (through Brand Scotland) and Oban Distillery (Diageo) have joined forces to partner with the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race as they launch team entry into the biennial event. Posted on 22 Aug
55% of professional Clipper Race line up are women
Sailing is a level playing field - with the ocean an equaliser On the 31 August, 20 sailing professionals will leave Portsmouth, leading their ten teams on an eleven-month endurance challenge around the world - and 55% of this line up are women. Posted on 19 Aug
Clipper 2025-26 Race to return to Puerto Sherry
After tourism boosting debut visit The Finish Line of the opening stage of the Clipper 2025-26 Round the World Yacht Race will be set against the backdrop of El Puerto de Santa María as Puerto Sherry returns as a Host Port Partner for the international sailing event. Posted on 25 Jun
Punta del Este announced as Clipper host port
4th time the city will host the Round the World Yacht Race fleet The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is set to return to Punta del Este, as the Uruguayan city is officially announced as a Host Port for the Clipper 2025-26 Race. Posted on 17 Jun
Clipper Race announces Official Logistics Supplier
Warrant Group offers a deep understanding of the complex operational demands As it gears up for its 14th edition, the Clipper Race has announced that Warrant Group will be the Official Logistics Supplier for the upcoming circumnavigation, with the UK-based firm also making its racing debut with a team entry named in its honour. Posted on 13 Jun
Clipper Race & UNICEF mark a decade of partnership
Fundraising efforts from race crew will continue to support UNICEF's work globally Today, the leading child rights organisation, UNICEF, was announced as a Team and Charity Partner of the Clipper Race once again. Posted on 6 May
Clipper Race announces line up of First Mates
Each First Mate will assist their Race Skipper in leading their teams of non-professionals The Clipper Race First Mates who will be helping to lead a team in the toughest endurance challenge on the planet have been announced. Posted on 26 Apr
Selden 2020 - FOOTERSwitch One DesignBarton Marine Pipe Glands