Betreff: Clipper 2002 Race Report
Absender: "Clipper News" 
Empfänger: 
Datum: 11. Sep 2003 13:11


Clipper 2002 Race Report
11 September 2003

MAKE HAY WHILST THE SUN SHINES

Today's morning report from Simon Rowell aboard Jersey Clipper says it all
really: "Windy day; starting off with light NW and the lightweight kite,
moving on to moderate westerlys and the medium weight kite, then a good
westerly force 6 gusting 7 with the heavyweight, followed by a lovely
westerly gale for a few hours with a poled out Yankee 1.

"The wind dropped off a bit the last hour or so, but what looks like a line
squall or front is about a mile away from coming over us so hopefully we'll
get our westerly gale back."

These winds have been producing good surfing conditions for the fleet.
Bristol Clipper reached 17 knots on one wave, whilst Liverpool seems to hold
the record with a top speed of 18.4 knots.

The fleet has also hit a favourable current, helping to bump up the overall
daily runs. Most yachts have averaged over 9 knots in the last 12 hours,
with Hong Kong Clipper just below at 8.8.

Jersey Clipper continues to do well, with Bristol still holding a
threatening position. Although only a few miles behind in distance to go,
she is taking a more northerly course in the hope of getting a chance to
outflank her rivals.

Liverpool Clipper sits just behind Bristol in third place and is also
geographically chasing hard with less than 5 miles between them.

Three miles then separate 4th from 6th place. The Glaswegians look to be
virtually neck and neck with the New Yorkers a few miles to the south, but
interestingly it is London and Hong Kong who share 6th place despite Hong
Kong being 20 miles to the north northwest.

Cape Town Clipper continue to be the southern most team and as such are 4
miles further away on the great circle route to the finish.

The crews will need to take advantage of these high speeds as it does not
look as if they will continue much beyond the weekend. An area of high
pressure is forecast to establish over the north Atlantic by early next week
and this could well slow the eight Clippers once more.

Clipper 2002 - Race 15 Positions
03:00, 11 September 2003

Pos     Yacht          Dist To Finish (Nautical Miles)
1     Jersey         2,074
2     Bristol         2,080
3     Liverpool     2,084
4     Glasgow     2,091
5     New York     2,093
=6     Hong Kong     2,095
=6     London      2,095
8     Cape Town     2,098

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