Betreff: Clipper 2002 Race Report
Absender: "Clipper _blanks" 
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Datum: 16. Jun 2003 11:44

Clipper 2002 Race Report
16 June 2003

IT TAKES TWO TO TANGO, OR EIGHT?

What a weekend for the eight-strong Clipper 2002 fleet!  Richard Butler and
his crew on Bristol totally ignored Friday 13th and any superstition
connected with it. They managed to get a good wind ahead of the others, as
the conditions once again caused Rich to get richer.

Whilst the Bristolians had broad smiles on their faces, it was not so much
fun at the back of the fleet where Hong Kong Clipper dropped even further
behind. A good 12-hour stint however saw the Honkers crew on a definite
charge, covering 108 miles. Skipper Justin Taylor reported: "We're not done
yet by any means. Now averaging 9.2 knots over last 12 hours and we mean
business."

Simon Rowell and Jersey in seventh place had even a better day though,
putting up the best 12 hourly run of 115 miles. This brought the Channel
Islanders right back into the hunt and seeking Clipper scalps that were not
that far over the horizon.

After an amazing turn of fortunes Jersey Clipper then stormed into second
place, having previously trailed the leader by nearly 100 miles. After a
fight back, this had been reduced to just over 50 miles, before a second
setback put them at 112 miles adrift just 36 hours before their remarkable
climb up the position table. By keeping north and as far away from the High
Pressure area as possible, Jersey Clipper put in three excellent radio
schedules and creamed the others to take second place.

The last 12 hourly schedule now shows that all the boats have finally got
the wind from the SE and are making good progress. Yet again Jersey Clipper
has topped the bill with 110 miles, with Hong Kong close to them with 106
miles. Cape Town Clipper has dropped a bit with a run of 94 miles, yet all
the others were around the 100 mark.

Adam Kyffin and his crew aboard Liverpool Clipper will be relieved to see
the back of the 'High' which has dropped them down the order from what
looked like a safe second place just two days ago. Possibly they will now
have a useful windward advantage in the south as the _blank weather system
comes in.

The Bristolians have seen their lead eroded by the Jerseymen in the North.
Obviously skipper Simon Rowell sees his miraculous recovery as a means to
gaining citizenship in the sacred island.  At 03:00 GMT, Jersey was in fact
further west than Bristol (and nearer Africa) but still North of her by 36
miles putting them in second place by a mere 18 miles.

Ross Daniel and his crew on _blank York have been doing great work in the
middle and are holding a good third place; ready to pounce when the leaders
fall on their swords. Jersey's great northern run has left them well to
leeward and this could present an opportunity for _blank York and others, such
as Liverpool, to take the initiative again.

Cape Town and Glasgow are have continued their private battle further south
and are in sight of each other. This pair reindexs some 15 miles North of
Liverpool Clipper. Most of the yachts are now reaching under number 1 or
Number 2 Yankees with some reefs in. They are making 9 knots or so and
should shortly start picking up the favourable current.

With only 14 miles separating Liverpool, Glasgow, Cape Town and London, it
really could be anyone's call over the next few days.

Clipper 2002 - Race 12 Positions
03:00, 16 June 2003

Pos     Yacht        Distance to Finish (nautical miles)
1     Bristol          1,068
2     Jersey         1,086
3     _blank York     1,135
4     Liverpool     1,148
5     Glasgow      1,153
6     Cape Town     1,157
7     London      1,162
8     Hong Kong     1,181

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

Clipper 2002 Round the World Yacht Race
Race 12 Mauritius to Cape Town ETA 21/06/03