Loretta Spridgeon
28. Oct 2002 17:39
AND THEY’RE OFF!
Hong Kong Clipper, skippered by Justin Taylor, blasted across the River
Mersey start line ahead of her seven rivals at 14:30 today, Monday, 28
October 2002, marking the start of the Clipper 2002 Round the World Yacht
Race in Liverpool.
Today beneath glorious blue skies in 10-12 knots of westerly breeze, the
eight international Clipper yachts set sail on the first leg of the
eleven-month challenge, racing to the Cascais Stopover in Portugal. A
fantastic 45,000-strong crowd gathered in the award-winning Albert Dock and
lined the banks of the Mersey to witness the start.
A very close start saw the fleet all coming in on a port tack, with
Liverpool Clipper leading in the approach to the line. The local yacht then
luffed, not to cross the race start line early, and Hong Kong came just to
windward at full speed to cross the line on the gun.
As the fleet tussled for positions, Hong Kong reached the first mark ahead
of the fleet, but overshot enabling London Clipper, skippered by Chris
Hazeldene, to take the lead.
At the Liverpool Yacht Club mark, London had extended her lead, whilst
closely behind _blank York went wide of the line managing to take Hong Kong’s
wind and moved into second.
Liverpool Clipper, under the helm of local skipper Adam Kyffin, chose then
to take an inside route, making use of their local knowledge, and managed to
make up a couple of places - much to the delight of the massive crowds
lining the Mersey.
As the fleet then raced along the Mersey for the final time, embarking on
the epic 35,000 mile marathon, London Clipper indextained a promising lead
ahead of Richard Butler’s crew aboard Bristol followed in turn by _blank York,
skippered by the first ever female Clipper skipper, Samantha Fuller.
Skippers and crews alike were glad to be under sail after yesterday’s severe
weather caused the start of Clipper 2002 to be postponed for 24 hours and
their enthusiasm was clearly evident when the teams proceeded through
Canning Dock waving and chanting to their individual theme tunes.
The home team left the dock to an emotional rendition of "The Leaving of
Liverpool" after what has been an exceptionally successful port hosting by
the city of Liverpool.
Estimated fleet arrival in Cascais, Portugal, will be Monday, 4 November
2002 and daily racing updates will be available at www.clipper-ventures.com
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Loretta Spridgeon
Clipper 2002 Press Officer
Tel: +44 (0) 151 707 9369
Mobile: +44 7773 818586
Email: lspridgeon@clipper-ventures.com
Website: www.clipper-ventures.com
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