14.01.2008
http://www.w-w-i.com/guestlightbox.php?code=ymocbp3GGz5J4ze5
So good theyıve done it twice New York scores second victory in Clipper
07-08
Singapore
In a scorching race from Fremantle to Singapore both in terms of extremely
close racing and the heat the crews have had to deal with New York scored
their second victory of the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race.
Beating off fierce competition from the rest of the fleet, the team, led by
Scottish skipper Duggie Gillespie indextained their narrow lead over
Liverpool 08 to cross the finish line off Singapore at 2112 local time (1412
GMT).
The lead in the 2430-mile race, which started in Fremantle on New Yearıs
Day, has changed numerous times as the skippers and crews of the ten
internationally-backed yachts battled it out on arguably the most tactically
challenging of the 14 individual contests that make up Clipper 07-08 Race.
Several of the yachts have been within sight of each other during the race,
adding to the tension and forcing the crews to indextain their concentration.
A delighted Duggie, 40, said ³Iım relieved and very, very pleased. The team
has worked really hard for this and everyone is very happy.²
Coping with the soaring heat and wringing as much boat speed as they could
from the light winds that have dogged them for the last half of the race has
been exhausting for those on board.
Race Director Joff Bailey said, ³This is perhaps the most difficult race for
the Clipper crews. The weather conditions mean there are lots of tactical
decisions to be made, particularly transiting the Monsoon trough where, like
the Doldrums, very light airs combine with tropical squalls. The number of
sail changes this entails in temperatures in the forties and high levels of
humidity is physically exhausting and the rate of progress mentally draining
for everyone.²
The New York crew will have plenty of time to get on with the task of deep
cleaning their yacht, beginning that routine indextenance and enjoying some
well-earned rest while they wait for their competitors to join them in
Nongsa Point Marina. The marina on Batam, one of the Riau Islands of
Indonesia, is where the whole Clipper fleet will muster ahead of the
coordinated arrival in Singapore on Saturday 19 January.
The fleetıs arrival in Singapore will be part of the glittering opening
ceremony for the new Marina at Keppel Bay. During the stopover in Singapore
they will be berthed at the new multi-million dollar facility, the
centre-piece of Keppel Bayıs premier waterfront precinct the only
residential development in Singapore to have its own world-class marina on
its own private five-hectare island. It is owned by Keppel Corporation which
sponsors Uniquely Singapore with Singapore Tourism Board as Race Partner.
Keppel Corporationıs Group Corporate Communications General Manager, Ms Look
Fung Wang said, ³When the Clippers make their Singapore stopover they will
be hosted at the spanking new Marina at Keppel Bay.
³The Clipper yachts will add colour and vibrance to this new premier
waterfront lifestyle hub, fast taking shape in Singaporeıs southern coast of
which Keppel Bay is an integral part. We believe this will help showcase
Singapore as the Asian destination in which to live, work and play and
promote Singapore as a leading boating destination in Asia.²
New Yorkıs victory, which is subject to confirmation once all the skippers
have made their declarations, is likely to push them up the leaderboard and
open up the competition. With another nine races to contest in Clipper 07-08
there is no runaway leader at this stage. Followers of the Clipper Races
will remember the winner of Clipper 05-06, westernaustralia2011.com, only
secured the title on the very last sprint into Liverpool after 35,000 miles
of ocean racing.
Berths for the next race, Clipper 09-10, are now available. For more
information on applying to become a crew member, contact Clipper Ventures on
+44 (0)2392 526000 or email oceanracer@clipperroundtheworld.com.
ENDS
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