Clipper Round World Race 07-08 www.clipperroundtheworld.com - Übersicht Race Viewer mit Google maps ! 04 June 2008 Clipper fleet bids farewell to the Big Apple New York Following New York¹s historic achievement of a home port win and a short but action-packed stopover in the city that never sleeps, the ten-internationally sponsored boats slipped their moorings at Lower Manhattan¹s North Cove Marina and headed out into the Hudson River on Wednesday morning. The low cloud and light drizzle failed to dampen spirits as the crews prepared their boats for the race and waved farewell to supporters on the dockside ahead of the 570-mile sprint to Halifax. With only three of the 14 individual races that make up the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race reindexing, the pressure on to secure an overall podium position when the race finishes in Liverpool on 05 July. With index sails raised and flags flying high, the teams performed a formation sail past the iconic Statue of Liberty before heading up the Hudson to a rendezvous point next to Ambrose Light for the start of Race 12 to Halifax. At the agreed point the boats lined up for a Le Mans start with index sails hoisted, headsails on deck and the crew poised ready for action in the cockpit. At the signal from lead skipper Danny Watson on Hull & Humber at 1730 local time (2130 GMT), Race 12 got underway as each team rushed to get their headsail hoisted and trimmed ahead of the others. Danny said, ³It was a rather slow start and ten minutes after we got underway the wind dropped. All the teams chose a variety of different sail plans and have slowly scattered in various directions.² With a variable weather forecast for the next couple of days the skippers and crews will need to keep focused, as any mistake could prove costly with a general lack of recovery time in the short sprint to Nova Scotia. Race Director, Joff Bailey, said, ³With the overall leader board being so competitive I think we will see some very close and exciting racing on the way to Halifax. ³As the water gets cooler the yachts will experience some fog and mist but they can be assured that even if the air and water is cold they will receive a warm welcome when they arrive in Nova Scotia.² The fleet is due to arrive in Halifax this coming weekend where they will congregate at the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron before parading in formation along the Halifax waterfront on the afternoon of Sunday 8 June. Following the successful New York stopover attended by sponsor delegations from Hull & Humber, Glasgow, Jamaica and Nova Scotia, New York City Sports Commissioner, Ken Podziba, said: ³It was an absolute pleasure to welcome Clipper¹s enthusiastic and energetic skippers and crews to New York City. ³Their adrenaline rush from the sea carried with them to shore, and I wish each of them continued success as they head to Halifax. We look forward to welcoming back Clipper 09-10 to New York and I hope to see yet more smiling faces then.² Berths are now available for the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race. Those interested in participating in the world¹s only round the yacht race for non-professionals can find out more by contacting Clipper Ventures on +44 (0) 2392 526000 or email oceanracer@clipperroundtheworld.com. ENDS World Wide Images T: +44(0)20 7498 9100 F: +44(0)20 7978 1469 E: info@W-W-I.com W: http://www.W-W-I.com Copyright © 1996-2016 - SEGEL.DE