Betreff: Clipper 2002 Route _blanks
Absender: "Clipper _blanks" 
Empfänger: "Irvin Krumnacker" 
Datum: 20. Mar 2003 11:30

Clipper 2002 Race Report
20 March 2003

CLIPPER FLEET head STRAIGHT TO HONG KONG

The scheduled visit of the Clipper 2002 Round the World Yacht Race to the
city of Shanghai has been cancelled after the planned berth for the fleet at
the Metropolitan Marina Club of Shanghai became unavailable at short notice.

All possible alternative berthing sites on the river were explored and it
has reluctantly been agreed that none of these offered sufficiently safe
berthing for Clipper's fleet of eight racing yachts.

The requirements for berthing yachts are not often compatible with a busy
commercial port and therefore careful consideration is required to find safe
moorings for yachts in such areas.

A great many people and organisations have been involved in setting up the
Clipper Race visit to Shanghai and it is regretted that these efforts will
not result in the yachts visiting the magnificent city on this occasion. It
is to everyone's credit that the overriding aspect of the safety of the
racing yachts and their crews have been the primary considerations.

The whole fleet is currently berthed in a waiting anchorage 30 miles
offshore and will now prepare themselves for their next race direct to Hong
Kong.

Reaction from the crew has been disappointment not to visit the city of
Shanghai, but as experienced sailors they also appreciate that the
requirement for safety at sea has to be matched by safety in harbour.

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston commented: "The Huang Po river is probably the
busiest in the world where it passes through Shanghai and has always created
a traffic problem and large wash from ocean going ships. Although this has
been a difficult decision, without protected berthing, visiting Shanghai is
not an option. Good luck to all the crews on their way to Hong Kong."

Race eight of the Clipper 2002 series will now get underway on Saturday, 22
March 2003, with the fleet sailing through the Taiwan Strait for Hong Kong;
the important halfway stage of the eleven-month circumnavigation and the
conclusion of the third crew leg.

After Hong Kong, the race returns to Liverpool (UK) via the Philippines,
Singapore, Mauritius, Cape Town, Salvador, _blank York and a final Atlantic
crossing to Jersey. A thrilling dash back to Liverpool, via Holyhead, will
see the fleet cross the finish line on 27, September 2003 after some 35,000
miles of racing in all.

(PROVISIONAL) CLIPPER 2002 OVERALL ORDER AFTER RACE 7:
Place Yacht      Cumulative Points
1   Jersey       46
2   Bristol       38
3   London       37
4   Liverpool    33.5
5   Hong Kong    31
6   Glasgow    31
7   _blank York    23
8   Cape Town    11

Note - Hong Kong ahead of Glasgow due to better finishing positions.

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


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