Betreff: Clipper 2002 -- Race 13 Start
Absender: "Clipper _blanks" 
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Datum: 29. Jun 2003 17:41


Clipper 2002 Race Report
29 June 2003

A SUNNY SOUTH AFRICAN SEND-OFF SEES FLEET SET SAIL FOR SALVADOR

The sun shone brightly over Cape Town's table Mountain for today's start of
Race 13 in the Clipper 2002 Series - what more could Race Director Colin de
Mowbray want? Well, wind would have been first on his list.

Even with the minor hiccup of a breathless deep blue sky, the City of Cape
Town did the Clipper fleet proud with one of the best race starts that we
have seen so far.

The eight-strong fleet slipped away quietly from the Royal Cape Yacht Club
at 10:00 this morning and made for the magnificent Victoria and Alfred
Waterfront, where the spectators and race supporters had been gathering for
some time. Pansula dancers entertained the crowds to the beat of the Marimba
bands, with many other local festivities contributing to the electric
atmosphere dockside.

The Clipper crews enjoyed the entertainment with family and friends, before
it was finally time for the off. As they slipped their lines leaving the
party atmosphere to head for Salvador, it was not with the sense of
trepidation that may have been expected.

The weather gods had brought us plenty of sunshine, although hardly a breath
of wind. The decision was taken for the race fleet to motor away, leaving
the impressive table Mountain behind them as they set out to find the breeze
and perform a ‘Le Mans’ start.

Cape Town Clipper led the fleet out of table Bay in brilliant style. After
guiding the fleet though echelon formations, skipper Roger Steven-Jennings
took the Cape Town yacht and her seven rivals for one final sweep past the
two Navy vessels carrying the VIP spectators and his family, before heading
out over the horizon.

As we bid farewell to this fantastic country and another superb stopover,
the Clipper crews will be looking ahead to their 3,375 nautical mile race to
Salvador in Brazil, with many of them harbouring desires to return to Cape
Town real soon.

Clipper _blanks Distribution
Clipper Ventures plc
Tel SA: +27 (0) 214 213243
Tel UK: + 44 (0) 23 8023 7088
Fax UK: +44 (0) 23 8023 7081
Email: lspridgeon@clipper-ventures.com
Website: www.clipper-ventures.com