Betreff: Clipper 2002 Race Report
Absender: "Clipper _blanks" 
Empfänger: 
Datum: 09. Dec 2002 10:36


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CLIPPER 2002 RACE REPORT

RACE 2 FINISH REPORT - 84 MINUTES AND 5 FINISHERS
Submitted by the Race Director, Colin de Mowbray, in Cuba


As I sat on the battlements of the Castillo del Morro at the entrance to
Havana harbour with the bright blue sea stretching out ahead of me, I was
not aware that I was about to witness one of the great moments connected
with the Clipper Race concept.

Yesterday had been marked by the excitement surrounding Samantha Fuller’s
victory in _blank York when she had finally triumphed over Richard Butler’s
Bristol Clipper. Sunday started differently and it was soon evident that the
wind has deserted the reindexing fleet and so we had to wait patiently for
the third boat home. Finally at 10:51 local time, Jersey Clipper with Ed
Green as skipper, crossed the line to take the last podium position. This
was a hugely popular result and a personal triumph for both the acting
skipper and the Jersey crew.

Having welcomed Jersey Clipper into Marina Hemingway, which is some 8 miles
west of the entrance to Havana Harbour, I drove back to wait for the next
finisher. As I looked out to sea from the castle I was able to see no less
than five sails approaching the finishing line. There, just as sure as eggs
are eggs, were the last 5 boats all racing for the line. After 28 days and
some 4,000 miles of racing, I was witnessing a finish similar to that which
members of the Royal Yacht Squadron would see from the Castle Lawn, when
watching a day race round the Solent.

Hong Kong Clipper, skippered by Justin Taylor (the victor in Cascais) was
fourth. Then 27 minutes later Adam Kyffin took Liverpool across the line in
fifth place. Next was a somewhat relieved Chris Hazeldene in London who,
having being stuck in various wind holes, had managed to climb back a place
or two.

A mere 13 minutes later Glasgow Clipper, skippered by Rupert Parkhouse,
steamed across the line with their spinnaker driving them at full speed.
After a wait of just a further 13 minutes, Roger Steven-Jennings skippered
Cape Town Clipper across the line to conclude the proceedings. In the space
of 84 minutes, 5 Clipper yachts had finished their race.

Just four hours and two minutes separated the last boat from third place
Jersey Clipper.

A special mention needs to be made of the Herculean efforts from Cape Town
Clipper after getting stuck off the Canaries Islands in light winds. This
put them in a different weather pattern and they saw the gap between them
and the leader open to an amazing 529 miles. After days of disappointment,
they gradually reeled the fleet back in and finally overtook some of them
before being pipped. Although not a result they would have wished for, they
have proved a most valuable point.

After 2 of the 16 races, _blank York Clipper is the overall leader with 13
points but only 2 points cover the first half of the feet. It is still very
early days and we have seen how close and competitive the racing is.

I have sat on several castles, headlands and even lighthouses seeing the
Clipper yachts start or end races. My two hours on Castillo del Morro is one
memory I will never forget. My congratulations to all of the crews on their
magnificent performances.

Clipper 2002 - Cascais to Havana Race Order
      Place      Points
_blank York   1      8
Bristol      2      7
Jersey      3      6
Hong Kong   4      5
Liverpool   5      4
London      6      3
Glasgow   7      2
Cape Town   8      1

All places and points reindex PROVISIONAL

Clipper 2002 Overall Order after Race 2
Place   Yacht         Cum Pts
1   _blank York      13
2   Hong Kong      12
3   Jersey         12
4   Bristol         11
5   London         9
6   Liverpool      8.5
7   Glasgow      5
8   Cape Town      2

Clipper _blanks Distribution
Clipper Ventures Plc
Tel: +44 (0) 2380 237088
Fax: +44 (0) 2380 237081
Email: distribution@clipper-ventures.com
Website: www.clipper-ventures.com


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