Betreff: Clipper 2002 Race _blanks
Absender: "Clipper _blanks" 
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Datum: 03. Jan 2003 11:37

Clipper 2002 Race Report
3 January 2003

JERSEY CLINCH CONSECUTIVE WIN

There is no stopping skipper Simon Rowell and Jersey Clipper crew. After
hardly putting a foot wrong on this tricky race from Panama to Galapagos,
they sailed an inspired route and achieved a very fast passage to the
equatorial Islands to take their second consecutive win. Despite the threat
of the wind tailing off they continued to make good speed on their approach
to the finishing line, which they crossed at 00:19 UTC on Friday, 3 January
2003.

Simon Rowell is rarely without his trademark grin. Even on occasions when
things didn't go to plan whilst skippering on the second half of last
Clipper race, his grin was always to be relied upon. Those who know Simon do
not need a photograph to say that his present grin is one enormous
open-mouthed smile, stretching from ear to ear!

Simon took over command of Jersey Clipper in Cuba at the beginning of
December 2002 and made an impressive start, clinching victory for the
Channel Islanders on the race from Cuba to Panama. This latest race into
Galapagos, the fourth in the Clipper 2002 series, sees Jersey as popular
winners - AGAIN!

The scrap for 2nd place went all the way to the finish. The wind held and
London Clipper, skippered by Ed Green, finished at 02:22 UTC closely
followed by _blank York who took third place at 02:47 UTC - just twenty five
minutes behind the Londoners after some 895 nautical miles of racing.

London Clipper now has 3 podium places out of 4 finishes and this result is
just the tonic _blank York Clipper, helmed by Samantha Fuller, needed after
finishing at both extremes of the fleet in the previous two races.

Tactics certainly paid off for the three leading Clipper yachts by heading
south and not just taking the shortest, most direct route. Indeed this has
been an excellent run by these three, beating all predictions and surprising
everyone in the Galapagos Islands who thought they were arriving on Sunday.
At daylight they will meet Clipper's old friend, our agent, Ricardo Arenas,
who has hosted previous races so well.

Now all eyes turn to those still racing to see how the other five Clippers
will do on their charge to Isla Santa Cruz in the Galapagos Islands. The
reindexing 5 boats are heading for Gate Darwin, but they still have 200 miles
to get there and a further 75-mile run to the finish.

Richard Butler aboard Bristol Clipper is now duty skipper and reports that
the wind is light and fluky, with an annoying swell from the South killing
any speed. Liverpool reports 40 hours of continuous rain, so probably best
no to mention the UK weather...

All the boats are spread over a wide front and only separated by 40 miles on
a ‘distance to finish’ basis. There are wide fluctuations in places as the
fortunes swing one way or another. Bristol Clipper has clawed back places
well after dropping right back and poor Rupert Parkhouse in Glasgow Clipper
has dropped from what seemed a comfortable margin in fourth - he will not
wish to remember his decision to leave the others and it’s probably best not
to mention this either!

Realistically these boats will not arrive until Sunday, 5 January, which is
of course is when they are due to get there. The others got it wrong! The
Clipper Visit to the Galapagos Islands is supported by Sail'n Galapagos
Yacht Services, Agency & Tour Operator.

Website: www.sailingalapagos.com

LATEST POSITIONS
04:00, 03 January 2003

Pos    Yacht       Dist To Finish
1    Jersey       Finished 00:19utc
2    London    Finished 02:22utc
3    _blank York    Finished 02:47utc
4    Bristol       240.18 (nautical miles to finish)
5    Hong Kong    246.63
6    Glasgow    249.78
7    Liverpool    272.28
8    Cape Town    273.91

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