Betreff: Clipper 2002 Race Report
Absender: "Loretta Spridgeon" 
Empfänger: 
Datum: 13. Mar 2003 11:06

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Clipper 2002 Race Report
13 March 2003

AND THEY’RE OFF!

Another lovely morning greeted the Clipper crews as they prepared for sea at
the Bayside Marina in Yokohama. With the formalities cleared, the eight
yachts proceeded down to the entrance of Tokyo Bay for the start of Clipper
2002's seventh race - a 925-mile contest taking the fleet to Shanghai.

Two years ago at this spot the Clipper fleet was contending with a force 9
gale. This year, as the convoy of official boats and race yachts mustered,
the wind died and the sea became flat calm.

Whereas some high profile yacht races have waited days for the right
conditions, this was not to happen here. Clipper’s Champion and principal
host in Yokohama, Mr Kaido, stated that the wind would pick up again from
the east in an hour's time. Sure enough, in an hour's time the wind picked
up from the east to provide a perfect windward start.

Bristol Clipper, defending champion of the 2000 race, was chased over the
line by Sam Fuller’s _blank York team. Cape Town Clipper timed it just right
and with good boat speed was clear in front of Liverpool as they slipped
past her.

Next was London Clipper, followed by Glasgow and Jersey. Hong Kong Clipper,
basking in the glory of her win into Yokohama gave the others a sporting
head start by taking up the rear of the fleet.

After an 8-mile beat out of the Tokyo Bay the yachts should have a light but
fair wind to get them off to a good start. The weather looks to be kind for
at least the first two days, after that the next depression is due to
arrive.

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

Clipper 2002 Race 7 - Yokohama to Shanghai
Fleet visit to Metropolitan Marina Club of Shanghai 22-28 March 2003


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