Betreff: Clipper 2002 Race Report
Absender: "Clipper _blanks"
Datum: 29. May 2003 13:28
SURFING TO GUNNERS' QUOIN
The 8 Clipper yachts are having one of their best ever finishes as the fleet
race to Mauritius. We are about to witness a classic, as they scream up to
the north coast of Mauritius before turning south to the finish at Port
Louis.
With less than 150 miles to run the teams will have some interesting
navigation tonight as they surf along while converging to pass inside
Gunner's Quoin, Carpenter's Rock and Blacksmith Ledge; just some of the many
maritime features on this coast that is steeped in naval history. The
fleet's ARCS electronic charts and SeaPro navigation software are going to
be invaluable for this.
The wind is steady from the ESE and blowing 35 knots or more. These are
conditions the Clipper yachts relish and how envious it makes one reading
the vivid reports by skippers and crews. Hong Kong Clipper is still out
there in front, but Bristol have caught up with a great run of 117 miles in
the last 12 hours and are now six miles astern in second place.
We do not know how or why Liverpool Clipper let them through, but their run
over this period was 9 miles less. However, they are still going like a
rocket ship and in these conditions there are many banana skins out there,
so the Scousers are definitely still in with a chance.
There is then an 8 mile gap to Jersey in fourth place but less than 3 miles
separates them from _blank York in fifth and Glasgow in sixth. These three are
spread out on a north/south line with London Clipper chasing hard further
north.
Glasgow Clipper gets today's Top Dog award with 118 miles over the period -
almost a 10 knot average. The one exception to the dash westward appears to
be Cape Town that has veered off more to the north and has reported some
serious spinnaker trouble. This has caused her to lose 15 miles on the
leader which will be a bitter disappointment after their great showing
earlier on in this race.
The arrival times at the Race 11 finish could now be as early as 22:00 GMT
tonight, Thursday 29 May 2003. This is 02:00 Friday morning local time which
would mean they would be berthing at the traditional time of 03:00! The
exciting _blanks is that all the boats will be finishing very close to each
other and, if the present conditions continue, they should all be in early
Friday morning (local time +4 on GMT).
It will not be surprising if the order changes several times on the run in.
In these conditions one small error or gear problem can be catastrophic and
with the boats this closely grouped it is going to be a near impossible call
to know how far to push the gear without risking breakages.
One factor that will be taken into account is a ruling by the Race Committee
giving Liverpool 1 minute 52.5 seconds time redress. This might not sound
much in a three week ocean race but it represents 0.25 of a mile at 8 knots.
I have a feeling that, just as last time, we will have boats finishing that
close and both Bristol and Liverpool will be aware of this.
.... and a Gunners' quoin? This is the wedge you put under the cannon to
adjust the angle and hence the range - but you all know that as you play
Scrabble.
Clipper 2002 - Race 11 Positions
03:00, 29 May 2003
Pos Yacht Distance to Finish (nautical miles)
1 Hong Kong 165
2 Bristol 171
3 Liverpool 175
4 Jersey 184
5 _blank York 185
6 Glasgow 186
7 London 195
8 Cape Town 215
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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