sail-world.com -- Clipper Round the World Yacht Race fleet contemplate tactics
Clipper Round the World Yacht Race fleet contemplate tactics
Mon, 25 Jun 2012
Clipper 2011-12 Round the World Yacht Race fleet are on day ten of race thirteen from Nova Scotia to Derry-Londonderry. The teams are busy studying weather files and contemplating tactics once again, in a bid to find the fastest route to the finish line in Northern Ireland.
Clipper Race Director, Jonathan Bailey said, 'Over the weekend the Clipper Race fleet has been navigating its way around ex-tropical storm ‘Chris’ which has given headwinds to many of the yachts and slowing progress rather than the more traditional downwind conditions associated with this leg of the race.
'Some of the yachts have stayed north of the eye of the tropical storm but several have managed to get below the eye into stronger winds from a more favourable direction. This tactical decision to go south of the eye has opened up some interesting scenarios as the fleet approach the Irish coast, so the next few days will be very interesting.'
Echoing the race director’s thoughts, Welcome to Yorkshire skipper, Rupert Dean explains, 'Of all the ocean legs to date on the Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race, the race across the North Atlantic appears to be the most complex and unusual from both a meteorological and tactical perspective. Whilst this 'game' makes great viewing for the fans back home, from the navigator's perspective I can tell you it's a real headache!'
The Yorkshire entry was overtaken by Gold Coast Australia overnight and is currently in second place, while Singapore is back in third place after sorting its tangled halyards that caused frustration yesterday.
Frontrunner Gold Coast Australia completed the Ocean Sprint in 13 hours 31 minutes 31 seconds, setting the current time to beat, bettering rival Singapore’s time by 30 minutes. The team sprinting the distance the fastest will get an additional point which can have huge influence in the overall leader board, as the race is nearing completion.
With only four weeks to go until Race Finish in Southampton on 22 July, preparations are in full swing. The Ageas Bowl, the home of Hampshire Cricket is offering Clipper Race followers the chance to win tickets to Hampshire Royals vs. Essex Eagles, Friends Life t20 game on Sunday 8 July. Click here for more details.
With the leading the frontrunners just over 900 miles from shore, the Clipper Race fleet is set to start arriving into Derry-Londonderry, Northern Ireland, between 29 June and 1 July.
Latest boat positions (0900 UTC)
Position
Team
DTF
DTL
1
Gold Coast Australia
707NM
0NM
2
Welcome to Yorkshire
775NM
68NM
3
Singapore
819NM
112NM
4
Geraldton Western Australia
829NM
122NM
5
Visit Finland
916NM
209NM
6
Edinburgh Inspiring Capital
1045NM
338NM
7
De Lage Landen
1110NM
403NM
8
Derry-Londonderry
1178NM
471NM
9
New York
1200NM
Stealth Mode at 24/6/12, 1400 GMT
10
Qingdao
1402NM
695NM
Full positions are updated every three hours and can be found online along with daily skipper reports.
Burke Marine
Burke Marine, suppliers of international quality marine clothing and equipment, was founded by Martin Burke on the shores of Sydney Harbour in 1971. Visit our website for your nearest stockist. [More info]
http://www.burkemarine.com.au
Ensign Ship Brokers
Ensign Ship Brokers was established in 1980 and has spent the last 28 years expanding our marine knowledge and developing our reputation! We strive to provide the very best service! [More info]
http://www.ensignbrokers.com.au/
GME Standard Communications Pty Ltd
Leaders in communications and navigation. Their goal has always been to make products whose innovation, convenience and peace of mind can help improve the lives of their customers. [More info]
http://www.gme.net.au
Multihull Solutions
Multihull Solutions is Australia and New Zealand’s premier offshore and cruising catamaran and trimaran specialist, offering sales and servicing of the world’s finest multihull brands.
[More info]
http://www.multihullsolutions.com.au
Navionics Australia
Navionics is proud of its superb cartographic database comprising more than 25,000 charts and port plans; the largest privately owned database of its kind, the only one using full seamless technology [More info]
http://www.navionics.com.au
Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show
2013 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show is Australasia's most significant marine lifestyle event. We look forward to welcoming you to the 25th annual event. [More info]
http://www.sanctuarycoveboatshow.com.au/