Betreff: Clipper 2002 Race _blanks
Absender: "Clipper _blanks" 
Empfänger: 
Datum: 31. Jan 2003 15:35


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Clipper 2002 Race Report
31 January 2003

FORTUNE DOESN'T ALWAYS FAVOUR THE BRAVE.

Sometimes gambles pay off, sometimes they don't.

It was a brave move by Jersey Clipper to try and cut through between the
islands but sadly for them it didn't work. Whilst trying to cut a corner
they got caught in the lee of Maui and spent several hours drifting at a
mere two knots whilst both Bristol and Liverpool went on to take first and
second respectively. Having led for most of the race the Jersey crew
eventually came in third, a mere 12 minutes behind Adam Kyffin and his
Liverpudlians

A tired but jubilant Bristol crew were met on the dock by the Race Director,
Colin de Mowbray, and the staff of the Ko Olina Marina. Skipper Richard
Butler pointed out that out of a three week race they had led for only 6
hours, but most importantly they were the right 6 hours to be ahead of the
pack!

This is the first win for the Bristol crew and will give them a useful boost
in the overall positions. It is also the first podium finish for Liverpool
Clipper and is well deserved after they steadily sailed their way up through
the fleet.

It is interesting to note that so far after 5 races we have seen 4 separate
winners and with London likely to come in 4th in a few hours time, we should
see a few changes on the overall position table.

It is now three o'clock in the morning in Oahu and the three crews now
celebrating at the Ko Olina Resort and Marina are sampling their first taste
of Hawaiian hospitality. The wind may be picking up, but shorts are still
very much in evidence.

In fact the crews have timed it pretty well as the weather of the last few
days, unseasonable south-westerly winds and rain, has now cleared. The
temperature has increased and the north easterly trades are back. This is
good _blanks to the boats still out there as they should now have much faster
run in.

Hong Kong Clipper have managed to hold onto their slender lead over Glasgow,
with skipper Justin Taylor reporting earlier today that they were still 3
miles ahead having successfully gybed in front of Glasgow when both boats
turned towards the north of Maui after the 04:00 radio schedule.

As if having Rupert Parkhouse and the Glasgow crew breathing down their
necks wasn't enough incentive to spur on the Hong Kong crew, Justin is also
being met in Hawaii by his wife and baby son! Both boats should be safely in
by tomorrow evening and we should see Cape Town Clipper and _blank York speed
up as well as they take advantage of the freshening trades.

KO OLINA CUP RACE FINISHING POSITIONS
Pos    Yacht       Finished
1    Bristol       07:41 GMT 31/01/03
2    Liverpool    10:13 GMT 31/01/03
3    Jersey       10:25 GMT 31/01/03

LATEST POSITIONS
04:00, 31 January 2003
Pos    Yacht       Distance to Finish
4    London    97 (nautical miles)
5    Hong Kong    151
6    Glasgow    155
7    Cape Town    231
8    _blank York    304

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


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------