Clipper 07-08 Race 10 - Panama Start
19 May 2008
RACE 10: PANAMA TO JAMAICA DAY 1
SHORTEST RACE OF CLIPPER SERIES GETS UNDERWAY
JAMAICA FIRST OFF THE START LINE IN SPRINT TO HOME PORT
OVERALL RACE LEADERS HULL & HUMBER TAKE EARLY LEAD
In fluky wind conditions, varying between 12 and 30 knots predominantly from a north easterly direction, Race 10 from Panama to Jamaica began at 10:02 local time (15:02 UTC) with a Le Mans start. Jamaica was first off the line, showing determination to break the so-called ‘home port curse’ and secure their first win of the Clipper series.
Following their headsail hoists the fleet was hit by a sudden squall causing the winds to shift temporarily to a southerly direction. As the fleet headed north towards the Caribbean island of Jamaica, overall race leaders Hull & Humber had moved into pole position with Durban 2010 and Beyond close on their heels, as both teams sacrificed direction in favour of speed by choosing to sail higher than best course.
The last four yachts to transit the Panama Canal sailed out into the Caribbean last night to join the six who had completed their passage during Friday and Saturday for the Le Mans start at a prearranged rendezvous point. In a Le Mans start the yachts line up with only their mainsails hoisted. On the starting signal they must raise their headsails as quickly as they can to gain as much advantage as possible over their competition.
The 590-mile race is one of the shortest of the 14 individual races in Clipper 07-08 and will be an upwind sprint to the Caribbean island and the finish line before the fleet arrives in Port Antonio, Jamaica.
Current leaders Hull & Humber are confident they can maintain their current form and make another appearance on the podium. Round the world crew member Nigel Rose says, “The race is going to be manic because it’s a sprint so there’s not going to be any weather routing issues or anything. It’s just going to be side by side for four days so it’s going to be tough and demanding. We seem to be able to push the boat harder than most. It’s challenging but we’re very good at it.”
James Douglas is a member of the ONE HULL Tag Team, a group of young people from Hull who are sailing a leg each in the 35,000-mile race around the world. He says, “I reckon this race is going to be a lot more difficult than the last one, definitely. It’s another different experience, beating all the way. We’re confident of getting another first place. We’ve got a good crew on here, so I reckon we can do it again.”
Skipper Danny Watson agrees. “We’ve got very good crew morale at the moment,” he says. “We’ve had two firsts out of the last three races and we all enjoy each other’s company. Everyone’s up for giving it a real good blast for four days up to Jamaica.”
The Panama Canal transit was completed in just four days from the arrival of the first yachts on Wednesday 14 May. Clipper 07-08 Race Director, Joff Bailey, says, “Our sincere thanks go to the Panama Canal Authority who ensured we transited with the minimum delay. It means we have managed to make up more of the time we lost in Hawaii last month and are on schedule to start Race 11 from Jamaica as planned next Saturday.”
Hull & Humber was in the second group of Clipper yachts to transit the Panama Canal. Brendan Decordova, another of the ONE HULL Tag Team, says, “Going through the canal was impressive – the locks are huge. When you see the gates close behind you, you get quite emotional about leaving the Pacific behind. When you get to the Atlantic you do feel like you’ve travelled across a continent.”
With approximately 8,000 miles left of their 35,000-mile circumnavigation and just five races to go, the Hull & Humber crew know they will have to maintain their momentum if they want to stay ahead of New York, Durban 2010 and Beyond and Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper who are all nipping at their heels.
The yachts are expected to arrive in Errol Flynn Marina, Port Antonio, late on Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.
Berths are now available for the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race. For more information on applying to become a crew member, contact Clipper Ventures on +44 (0) 2392 526000 or email oceanracer@clipperroundtheworld.com.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
For media information, photographs and interviews with skippers, crew or
Race Team, please contact:
Heather Ewing, Communications Coordinator (in Jamaica)
UK Mobile: +44 (0) 7792 408 695
Email: hewing@clipper-ventures.com
Zoe Williamson, Communications Coordinator (in UK)
Tel: +44 (0) 2392 526000 Mobile: +44 (0) 7793 417 751
Email: zwilliamson@clipper-ventures.com
For further information log onto www.clipperroundtheworld.com
Visitors, users and viewers of the content to which this notice is attached may copy it for re-use and syndicate the content by whatever means for use to other internet content sites on condition the source of all material so used is acknowledged with the attachment of the following notice.
www.superyachtnews.blogspot.com 2008
www.ajaxnetphoto.com 2008
This content may be used in any print media made available for commercial resale.
The products and companies named in this website content are trademarks, registered trademarks or servicemarks of their respective owners or licensed users.
RACE 10: PANAMA TO JAMAICA DAY 1
SHORTEST RACE OF CLIPPER SERIES GETS UNDERWAY
JAMAICA FIRST OFF THE START LINE IN SPRINT TO HOME PORT
OVERALL RACE LEADERS HULL & HUMBER TAKE EARLY LEAD
In fluky wind conditions, varying between 12 and 30 knots predominantly from a north easterly direction, Race 10 from Panama to Jamaica began at 10:02 local time (15:02 UTC) with a Le Mans start. Jamaica was first off the line, showing determination to break the so-called ‘home port curse’ and secure their first win of the Clipper series.
Following their headsail hoists the fleet was hit by a sudden squall causing the winds to shift temporarily to a southerly direction. As the fleet headed north towards the Caribbean island of Jamaica, overall race leaders Hull & Humber had moved into pole position with Durban 2010 and Beyond close on their heels, as both teams sacrificed direction in favour of speed by choosing to sail higher than best course.
The last four yachts to transit the Panama Canal sailed out into the Caribbean last night to join the six who had completed their passage during Friday and Saturday for the Le Mans start at a prearranged rendezvous point. In a Le Mans start the yachts line up with only their mainsails hoisted. On the starting signal they must raise their headsails as quickly as they can to gain as much advantage as possible over their competition.
The 590-mile race is one of the shortest of the 14 individual races in Clipper 07-08 and will be an upwind sprint to the Caribbean island and the finish line before the fleet arrives in Port Antonio, Jamaica.
Current leaders Hull & Humber are confident they can maintain their current form and make another appearance on the podium. Round the world crew member Nigel Rose says, “The race is going to be manic because it’s a sprint so there’s not going to be any weather routing issues or anything. It’s just going to be side by side for four days so it’s going to be tough and demanding. We seem to be able to push the boat harder than most. It’s challenging but we’re very good at it.”
James Douglas is a member of the ONE HULL Tag Team, a group of young people from Hull who are sailing a leg each in the 35,000-mile race around the world. He says, “I reckon this race is going to be a lot more difficult than the last one, definitely. It’s another different experience, beating all the way. We’re confident of getting another first place. We’ve got a good crew on here, so I reckon we can do it again.”
Skipper Danny Watson agrees. “We’ve got very good crew morale at the moment,” he says. “We’ve had two firsts out of the last three races and we all enjoy each other’s company. Everyone’s up for giving it a real good blast for four days up to Jamaica.”
The Panama Canal transit was completed in just four days from the arrival of the first yachts on Wednesday 14 May. Clipper 07-08 Race Director, Joff Bailey, says, “Our sincere thanks go to the Panama Canal Authority who ensured we transited with the minimum delay. It means we have managed to make up more of the time we lost in Hawaii last month and are on schedule to start Race 11 from Jamaica as planned next Saturday.”
Hull & Humber was in the second group of Clipper yachts to transit the Panama Canal. Brendan Decordova, another of the ONE HULL Tag Team, says, “Going through the canal was impressive – the locks are huge. When you see the gates close behind you, you get quite emotional about leaving the Pacific behind. When you get to the Atlantic you do feel like you’ve travelled across a continent.”
With approximately 8,000 miles left of their 35,000-mile circumnavigation and just five races to go, the Hull & Humber crew know they will have to maintain their momentum if they want to stay ahead of New York, Durban 2010 and Beyond and Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper who are all nipping at their heels.
The yachts are expected to arrive in Errol Flynn Marina, Port Antonio, late on Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.
Berths are now available for the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race. For more information on applying to become a crew member, contact Clipper Ventures on +44 (0) 2392 526000 or email oceanracer@clipperroundtheworld.com.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
For media information, photographs and interviews with skippers, crew or
Race Team, please contact:
Heather Ewing, Communications Coordinator (in Jamaica)
UK Mobile: +44 (0) 7792 408 695
Email: hewing@clipper-ventures.com
Zoe Williamson, Communications Coordinator (in UK)
Tel: +44 (0) 2392 526000 Mobile: +44 (0) 7793 417 751
Email: zwilliamson@clipper-ventures.com
For further information log onto www.clipperroundtheworld.com
Visitors, users and viewers of the content to which this notice is attached may copy it for re-use and syndicate the content by whatever means for use to other internet content sites on condition the source of all material so used is acknowledged with the attachment of the following notice.
www.superyachtnews.blogspot.com 2008
www.ajaxnetphoto.com 2008
This content may be used in any print media made available for commercial resale.
The products and companies named in this website content are trademarks, registered trademarks or servicemarks of their respective owners or licensed users.
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