Betreff: Clipper 2002 Race Report
Absender: "Clipper _blanks" 
Empfänger: 
Datum: 23. Jan 2003 09:55

Clipper 2002 Race Report
23 January 2003

SCREAMING TOWARDS HAWAII

The Clipper fleet frontrunners, Jersey, London and Bristol, have all
recorded 24-hour distances above 240 miles as they charge towards Hawaii.

Bristol Clipper achieved the best run of the three with 247.98 miles covered
according to the Raymarine Raytech software, giving them an average speed of
10.3 knots from 04:00 yesterday to 04:00 today. Even Glasgow Clipper the
(relatively) slowest boat notched up a 24-hour average of 9.6 knots.

These great speeds will keep morale on board very high as the thrill of
feeling these 60ft racers surging along is exhilarating to say the least and
time on the helm is very limited as everyone is trying to get a bit of the
action and score the biggest surf of the day.

Simon Rowell in Jersey Clipper, who is the Duty Skipper, reported this
morning that Hong Kong Clipper had achieved the best score with an 18.9 knot
burst recorded.

The huge loads brought about by these fantastic speeds can take their toll
the boat and crew however. The guys and sheets controlling the spinnaker
need to regularly checked, both in board and outboard, and the mast-monkey
needs to climb the mast each day to check wear and tear on both the halyards
and the U-bolts holding the spinnaker blocks at the top of the mast.

Climbing to the top of a 70-foot mast with the boat charging along is no
mean feat. In fact Jezzer, a crew member on Bristol Clipper, has a few
bruises this morning after replacing a U-bolt that failed yesterday. This
wear and tear to the U-bolts is a common occurrence, especially when you
consider the force 2000 sq foot of material full of wind exerts and the
boats carry a number of spares so that worn ones can be replaced before or
just after they break.

It looks as though Hawaii will play host to a huge Clipper gathering. Apart
from the change over crew, many friends and families also seem to be taking
advantage of this wonderful stop over and flying south for the winter. Those
arriving by both sea and air are looking forward to the reception that is
being laid on at the beautiful Ko Olina Resort and Marina.

But the big question is still "Who will lift the Ko Olina Cup?"

LATEST POSITIONS
04:00, 23 January 2003

Pos    Yacht       Distance to Finish
1    Jersey       1633.13 (nautical miles)
2    Liverpool    1646.73
3    Bristol       1660.87
4    Liverpool    1668.18
5    Hong Kong    1740.60
6    Glasgow    1749.37
7    Cape Town    1760.42
8    _blank York    1841.70

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

Race 5 Galapagos to Hawaii - THE KO OLINA CUP
Clipper 2002 visit to Hawaii will be hosted by Ko Olina Marina and Resort
www.koolinamarina.com