Clipper Round World Race 07-08 www.clipper-ventures.com - Übersicht Race Viewer mit Google maps ! 18 November 2007 Durban crowds flock to welcome Clipper Fleet to South Africa The Clipper 07-08 race crews were busy carrying out indextenance on the ten Clipper 68s under the South African sunshine on Sunday whilst crowds of onlookers gathered at the race village at Durban Marina to catch a glimpse of the ocean racers. With a week ahead of them before the start of Race 4 across the Southern Ocean to Fremantle, the ten teams are keen to work through their jobs lists so that they can enjoy the hospitality of the Zulu kingdom of KwaZulu-Natal before they cast off their lines for Australia on Sunday. The final of the ten boats, Nova Scotia arrived in Durban on Saturday evening to loud applause from crowds gathered in the marina and a traditional Zulu welcome at the end of gruelling race from Salvador, Brazil. Skipper Rob McInally and his team crossed the finish line at 1919 local time (1719 GMT) in tenth place after 25 days of racing. At the Royal Natal Yacht Club, the oldest sports club in Africa, Rob and his crew tucked into the supper of bacon and eggs and cold beer offered to every sailor arriving there at the end of an ocean race. He said, “It’s been a very exciting race, we’ve had some fantastic sailing. It’s been a bit slow over the last few days but it’s been such an amazing welcome. It’s absolutely fantastic to be in Durban. We’re just overwhelmed at the welcome we’ve had.” Nova Scotia’s crew, along with the rest of the Clipper fleet are being hosted in Durban Marina by Royal Natal Yacht Club and the neighbouring Point Yacht Club. Line honours in Race 3 of Clipper 07-08 went to Hull & Humber, who crossed the line at 0108 local (2308 GMT) on Thursday 15 November, followed six minutes later by New York at 0114 local (2314 GMT) who will take the points for first place after Hull & Humber incurred a four-hour time penalty for not returning to the point where they stopped racing and started their engine to carry out a medical evacuation. The racing rules state that they should have returned to the point where they diverted when they resumed racing. After arriving in Durban, Hull & Humber crew member Jim Dick said: “The last two days have been spent deep cleaning the boat and doing repairs and indextenance, but now we’re all having a couple of days of well-earned rest. Now it’s all over I can’t help reflecting on my great adventure. I’ve loved every minute of it although there have been some stressful situations such as my first mother watch and baking my first loaf. As I stood nervously by the oven I wondered whether there would be a loaf of bread in a few minutes or a new soft head hammer for the boat. Fortunately it was a loaf – just! “There have been so many highlights that it’s difficult to list them all. Catching up with the fleet after the medivac, night reaching under spinnaker, overcoming setbacks, the wildlife, duelling with New York, crew camaraderie, line honours into Durban and all the banter have all played their part. “I’m hugely proud of my region and Yorkshire Forward’s vision to sponsor a yacht; their investment will be returned many times over and will raise the profile of the Hull and Humber region. I’m equally proud of the Wilberforce initiative and the Hull tag team – they are a credit to their city. “But as I sit on the yacht now my overwhelming feeling is of the adventure this has been. I’ve faced new challenges and been out of my comfort zone many times but always felt supported by my crew mates. It’s also been some of the best sailing I’ve ever done, particularly helming during the last few hours - a memory that will live with me for ever. I guess I’m now destined to join the ranks of people glued to the web-site for the six-hour updates. But one thing’s for sure - I won’t be baking my own bread!” The results for Race 3 are still provisional until all the skippers have made declarations, any protests have been lodged and the Race Committee has convened to ratify the results. If the results stand, the points table will be as follows: 1. Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper 21 points 2. Liverpool 08 20.5 points 3. Hull & Humber 18 points 4. Durban 2010 and Beyond 17 points 5. New York 13.5 points 6. Nova Scotia 12.5 points 7. Qingdao 11.5 points 8. westernaustralia2011.com 11 points 9. Uniquely Singapore 9 points 10. Jamaica 3.5 points Following the arrival of the fleet in the city, His Worship the Mayor of Durban, Councillor Obed Mlaba, says, “On behalf of the City of Durban, South Africa, I offer a warm welcome to the crew, race organisers, accompanying officials, friends and family of the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race. We are privileged to be participating in this global event and are proud to be represented by our boat and crew of Durban 2010 and Beyond. “It is fitting that the fleet should arrive in Durban during the period that we are hosting the FIFA delegation for the 2010 Soccer World Cup Preliminary Draw. Both events play vital roles in strengthening Durban’s position as ‘Africa’s premier sporting and events capital’. We have prepared the marina for your arrival and I have been assured that the city has catered for your every need while you are in our city. May you enjoy Durban’s hospitality, warm weather, cuisine and culture during your ten-day stopover. “We wish you fair winds and a bon voyage when you leave our shores on 25 November on your way to Fremantle, Australia.” Copyright © 1996-2016 - SEGEL.DE