Betreff: Clipper 2002 Race Report
Absender: "Clipper News"
Datum: 24. Sep 2003 18:59
Clipper 2002 Race Report
24 September 2003
headING WEST FOR WIND
The island of Jersey once again excelled itself by hosting one of the most
memorable Prize Giving receptions of the whole 11-month Clipper 2002 Race
last night.
The theme was subtle, "Shanghai, because you haven't been there!" which
brought back memories of the fleet's time in SE Asia so many miles ago.
The fleet departure from Jersey took place early this morning because of the
tidal streams and the requirement to make progress along the track to
Holyhead and Liverpool; it therefore didn't provide much opportunity for
nursing sore heads after the crew party.
The weather had followed the forecast, with a new high pressure system
dominating the English Channel, and the westerly gales that brought the
Clipper fleet into Jersey Harbour with such style were replaced with a
glassy calm.
With the lack of wind, the eight yachts slipped from their berths as
scheduled at 06:00 (local time) and formed up outside the harbour to
manoeuvre into a diamond formation. As the fleet saluted the island of
Jersey with their spectacular sail past, thoughts turned to the challenge
ahead on Race 16 of the Clipper 2002 Series - to Holyhead!
With a brief but successful visit to Jersey behind them, the Clipper fleet
then made ground to the north west under power. The yachts are now
continuing their progress to the west and at 12:00 BST were some 45 miles
from La Corbier on the SW tip of Jersey, having had some useful help from
the ebb tidal stream.
The wind has reindexed light, so the actual start of Race 16 has been
delayed. At present the wind is between 5 and 8 knots. The forecast is for
the wind to increase though, so it is now thought that the yachts will be
able to start their race this evening.
This will not be the first time the yachts have started themselves and they
achieve this by using a 'Le Mans Start.' The skippers draw for position and
then take station abeam on a given course. One skipper controls the
proceedings, on this occasion Simon Rowell aboard Jersey Clipper, and there
are set actions carried out during the countdown.
With the wind blowing gently from the East South East and the tide against
them, the Clipper fleet is currently motoring towards Lands End. All efforts
are focussed on this weekend's grand homecoming in Liverpool and as such the
yachts need to make the favourable tide around Lands End.
The situation will be reviewed at 17:30 GMT and regular updates will be
posted on the Reports section at www.clipper-ventures.com
CLIPPER NEWS DISTRIBUTION:
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Tel: +44 (0) 2380 237088
Fax: +44 (0) 2380 237081
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Website: www.clipper-ventures.com
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