Betreff: Clipper 2002 Race Report
Absender: "Clipper _blanks" 
Empfänger: 
Datum: 26. Feb 2003 11:59


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Clipper 2002 Race Report
26 February 2003

THE DIVIDE DEEPENS

The difference between the northern boats and the southern (west is best)
boats over the last twenty-four hours has again become greater. As light
airs have plagued all parties over the last few days, the last twenty-four
hours have seen a significant increase in breeze in the favour of the
northernmost boats.

The leading pack are now benefiting from a fresh north-north-westerly breeze
at present, which is helping them to not only make a direct course for
Yokohama but also to pull away from the southern boats where the wind has
finally began to fill in.

Commenting earlier this morning Richard Butler aboard Bristol Clipper said:
"This really isn't going according to plan with the northern boats making
lots of progress and us and Jersey much less. Even so the next couple of
days look much better for us, but it will take quite a lot to recover from
the last couple of days. However, its not over until it's over and we've
still got a long way to go in which to recover."

_blank York Clipper has been able to make the most of what some may have
considered quite a daring move earlier in the week, by heading north to
cover the leading group much sooner than expected. This has proved most
beneficial for Sam and her _blank York crew, earning the greatest distance run
over the past twenty-four hours with a distance of 176 nautical miles.

_blank York's run only narrowly pipped Hong Kong though, who were the only
other boat to reach the 170+ mark. Knowing full well that they must keep
London and Glasgow within striking distance, there are no signs of let up
aboard Hong Kong.

The London Clipper crew, led by Rory Gillard, have been able to consolidate
their lead once more - but for how long? The lead has changed back and forth
between the top three boats many times over the last ten to twelve days and
the following group are by no means going to let _blankcomer Rory out of their
sights.

Meanwhile the Cape Town Clipper crew are still battling hard and have been a
little unfortunate to not benefit from the breeze increases further north of
them as yet. It will be interesting to see how their position changes over
the next forty-eight hours as a cold front is expected to pass, which may
see them once more in a favourable position. This may also see the leading
group returning to a more southerly heading.

Liverpool Clipper has been extremely consistent throughout all of the
sparring of the leading group. Their daily runs show them to have been
affected with almost the same weather conditions as the frontrunners and
they have not lost any ground on the leading group.

So it's fingers crossed for the wind to stay this time as the yachts close
on their destination of Yokohama and it's still wide open as to who will
have a podium finish...

LATEST POSITIONS
03:00 UTC 26 February 2003

Pos    Yacht       Distance to Finish (nautical miles)
1    London       1396.1
2    Hong Kong    1442.1
3    Glasgow    1468.6
4    Liverpool    1481.2
5    _blank York    1541.8
6    Bristol       1605.1
7    Cape Town    1618.9
8    Jersey       1654.2

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

Race 6 Hawaii to Yokohama
Clipper 2002 visit to Yokohama 8 - 13 March 2003


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