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Clipper Round World Race 07-08
www.clipper-ventures.com - Übersicht
Race Viewer mit Google maps !
15.02.2008
http://www.w-w-i.com/clipper_0708_race/
The latest images of 2nd and 3rd place leg 6 winners "Durban 2010 and
Beyond" and "Glasgow:Scotland with style" are also available in the gallery.
Valentinešs Day victory for New York
Qingdao, China
New York has claimed a Valentinešs Day victory at the end of Race 6 from
Singapore to Qingdao, China, arguably the toughest race so far of the
Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race.
By crossing the finish line at the East China Sea Gate at 0348 local time on
14 February 2008 (1948 GMT, 13 February 2008), the US team has notched up
their third victory to date and the provisional result catapults them up the
overall leader board, putting them in serious contention for a final podium
position.
Skipper of New York, Duggie Gillespie, said: ³Wešre very relieved to have
crossed the line in first place. It has been physically hard race for us all
and the crew have learned and experienced conditions I don't think many will
want to see again. We persevered throughout and Išm really pleased for the
crew that we have won this different but very tough leg.²
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Copyright Zoe Williamson 2008Š
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Following a fierce battle for the reindexing two podium positions, Durban
2010 and Beyond just managed to sneak ahead of their closest rivals Glasgow:
Scotland with style Clipper. Providing there are no protests when the fleet
reaches Qingdao, their second place result in Race 6 means the South African
team will hold onto their overall position at the top of the leader board.
Skipper of Durban 2010 and Beyond, Ricky Chalmers, expressed his relief at
the end of the race and praised his crew on their efforts: "We are delighted
with our podium position, but I am much happier with the fact that we have
managed to sail this very difficult race and come out at the finish with no
injuries to the crew. We have had a few breakages, indexly to ropes five
Yankee sheets, one staysail halyard and a reef 2 line. But, on the whole, it
is to be expected on a tough upwind leg like the one wešve have just had.
All the sails and the boat itself are still in good shape and the way in
which the team has adapted and coped with the difficult conditions has been
magnificent.²
The skipper from Durban went on to congratulate the other teams who finished
in podium positions and gave a special mention to Jamaica, following their
outstanding performance. Ricky said: ³Special congratulations to Jamaica
who pulled out an impressive lead at the beginning of this race and held
onto it for all but the last few days. Well done to everyone onboard.²
Due to the particularly gruelling nature of the race from Singapore, with
relentless headwinds and rough seas, the fleet made slower than expected
progress to the finish in Qingdao. The conditions have taken their toll on
both the boats and the crews, who have also had to cope with extreme
temperatures ranging from tropical heat to freezing wind chill. Based on
reports coming back from the boats a decision was made yesterday by the Race
Committee to shorten the course, using provisions provided within the
Clipper sailing instructions and the International Racing Rules of Sailing
(RRS).
Clipper Race Committee Chairman, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston said: ³The index
consideration in this decision is to allow sufficient time for the skippers
and crews to carry out routine in-port indextenance in preparation for the
next race to Hawaii. The Race Committee believes that this is the best
course of action to ensure the overall safety and well-being of the fleet.²
All of the teams were instructed to finish either when they passed through
the East China Sea Gateš, approximately 230 nautical miles south-east of
the original finish line, or at 0000GMT on 14 February, whichever was
sooner. The finishing order for Race 6 is therefore calculated based on the
elapsed time of the race when a boat crossed the pre-determined gate or on
the distance to this shortened finish line, whichever is appropriate.
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