* Hull & Humber skipper safely medevaced to Japanese Coastguard vessel
* Spirit of Australia skipper takes command of Hull & Humber
* Team Finland’s mast clears customs

After sustaining a fracture to his right leg on the tenth day of Race 7,
Piers Dudin, Skipper of Hull & Humber has been safely medevaced by the
Japanese Coastguard. The 50 metre rescue vessel is now motoring towards
Japan where it will rendezvous with a larger vessel which has a
helicopter that will airlift the skipper to the city of Sendai,
approximately two hours north of Tokyo.

Reports from the boat suggest that a large wave hit the boat, causing
the skipper to be swept down the deck which resulted in the injury. Hull
& Humber crew member Tom Salt was on deck at the time. He says, “Two of
the crew were on the high side and got swept across the deck - one
stopping by the helm station and the other at the starboard quarter.
Piers was on the low side of the helm station and was swept into the
guard rail and then aft on top of the other crew member who was
uninjured. We believe that Piers caught the side of his right leg around
the forward starboard stanchion of the pushpit and the force of the
water broke his shin. Kevin (Austen) was on the helm, but managed to
keep control and did not lose contact with the wheel. Piers calmly
informed the crew he had broken his leg and was assisted down below,
giving calm instructions on what needed to be done.”

In a message to the crew, Clipper Race Chairman, Sir Robin
Knox-Johnston, praised the way the team had handled the situation. “You
have all been through a difficult ordeal over the last 36 hours, one
that very few people have to cope with. Thank you for the calm manner in
which you have dealt with the situation, this is a testament to you all
and also to the way Piers has instructed and managed the team. It is
also a sign of a very good team that can really pull together in times
of need.”

Following the incident and as one of the nearest vessels, Spirit of
Australia was called upon to shadow Hull & Humber as they headed west to
rendezvous with the Japanese Coastguard. With conditions safe enough for
a boat to boat transfer, skipper Brendan Hall moved on to Hull & Humber
to assist with the evacuation and has now taken charge of the English
entry for the remainder of Race 7.

In the meantime, round the world crew member Bob Bell has been appointed
acting skipper of Spirit of Australia on account of his experience and
qualifications.

Sir Robin says, “Bob is an exceptionally qualified crew member and has
completed approximately 10,000 miles of RYA courses, including RYA
Yachtmaster with ocean theory, and bareboat chartering. He also has more
than 35,000 miles experience from the Challenge Business, completing
their training course and taking part in the BT Global Challenge
2000-2001 race as a round the world crew member on the winning boat.
Added to that, Bob has 20,000 miles of offshore experience with Clipper,
including our comprehensive training course and more than 18,000 miles
of the 09-10 Race.

“He also has the support of another well qualified Yachtswoman, Liz
Simmons who is a qualified RYA Yachtmaster and the crew is now highly
experienced. With nine round the world crew members who have each
completed the Clipper training programme and 18,000 miles of the race,
they are a strong team and I have every faith in their ability.”

Spirit of Australia and Hull & Humber have now turned east again and
been instructed by the Race Office to keep in close company for the
remainder of the 5,680 mile race to San Francisco.

“We have made the decision for both boats to continue to San Francisco
due to the weather forecast,” says Sir Robin. “Between their current
location and Tokyo is the remnants of the last low pressure system which
is currently centered over the Japan sea delivering steady winds between
25 to 35 knots. To head to Japan would mean sailing against the Japan
current and a nasty wind over tide effect. These conditions are
forecasted to persist for the next 24 to 48 hours and will make for a
very difficult ride for any boat that is heading west. The safest course
for the boats is downwind and they have been instructed to head east and
take it easy whilst everyone settles in to the new arrangements.”

Amongst the rest of the fleet, conditions have calmed and the mood is a
somber one as Piers’s accident serves a sharp reminder to all of the
dangers of ocean racing. Jamaica Lightning Bolt’s skipper, Pete
Stirling, sums it up in his report to the race office today.

“First of all I must extend my heartfelt sympathy to Piers. Over the
course of the last year, since we have known each other, Piers has
become a good friend on land and a fine adversary on the water. It’s a
very cruel twist of fate that has caused him to be taken out of this
race in such a dramatic way. These things can happen in a blink of an
eye and it just demonstrates once again the immense power of the sea and
the amount of damage it can do. As one of my crew pointed out one cubic
metre of water weighs one tonne. On occasion we have a lot more water
than that coming across our decks and then it is also travelling at
speed.”

With two medics on board, Cape Breton Island, along with Spirit of
Australia, was initially called upon to rendezvous with Hull & Humber to
provide assistance if needed. They were stood down but the slight detour
has clearly not affected their performance and the team is now 75
nautical miles ahead of the chasing pack. However, following yesterday’s
incident skipper Jan Ridd’s team isn’t going to push their luck as the
Weymouth-based skipper explains.

“Last night we were carrying on the hunt for Hull & Humber and Spirit of
Australia when the satellite phone rang. I answered with a little
trepidation as we really only use this system for emergencies only. It
was Joff (Bailey, Race Director) who quickly explained that Piers had
been in a nasty accident and had possibly broken his leg and could we
standby to see if we could help as I have two qualified medics on board.
After a short while we were stood down which has allowed us to carry on
racing but under a very conservative sail plan. All of us have been made
very aware of the dangers of ocean racing.”

The Canadian team’s move to the front of the fleet means that their
North American rivals, California, will be fully focused on catching
them as they continue to chase the elusive home port win.

With the repairs to their mainsail now complete, skipper Pete Rollason,
says, “California is back on the race track at full speed. At about 0400
local time after battling for two hours the crew finally managed to get
the mainsail hoisted. The wind has eased this morning and so it’s just
as well the repair had been finished.

“We have used the respite offered by the light winds and sunshine to
conduct various equipment checks, undertake some preventative
maintenance and servicing, dry out our kit and recharge everyone’s
batteries.”
Likewise, Uniquely Singapore’s crew have used the break in the weather
to get their boat ship shape and ready for the next low pressure system.

“Singas has been a hive of activity today,” says skipper Jim Dobie. “We
have managed to fix our instruments which had been intermittently
shutting down due to some corrosion on wiring and connectors. Craig
(Davey) went up the mast and carried out a rig check and the team on
deck worked their way through halyards and sheets, checking wear and
chafe and repairing when necessary. As the next low starts to affect us
and the winds come in again, we are in good shape and itching for some
fast downwind weather. The race is still changing and we are now eyeing
up the gate and those extra points as we march onwards to San
Francisco.”

Meanwhile the crew onboard Edinburgh Inspiring Capital are busy
investigating a problem with one of their spreaders and are sailing
conservatively until the problem is resolved. This will come as a blow
to the team that is presently in second place and they will be hoping
that it can be sorted if they are to achieve their first podium of the
race.

Good news for Team Finland today as their replacement mast has now
cleared customs in Shanghai and is making its way by truck to Qingdao.
Expected to arrive at 1400 local time tomorrow, the crew will be
chomping at the bit to get to work and get back on the race track as
quickly as possible.

Positions at 0900 UTC, Friday 12 March

Boat DTF* DTL*
1 Cape Breton Island 3974nm
2 Edinburgh Inspiring Capital 4048nm 75nm
3 California 4067nm 93nm
4 Jamaica Lightning Bolt 4069nm 96nm
5 Uniquely Singapore 4077nm 104nm
6 Qingdao 4129nm 155nm
7 Hull & Humber 4148nm 174nm
8 Spirit of Australia 4148nm 175nm
9 Team Finland 5612nm 180nm
10 Cork Did not start

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*  ”Sometimes you cry out in exhilaration and sometimes you just want to
    cry!” - California’s skipper on the joys of ocean racing.
*  Winds gusting in excess of 50 knots test the mettle of the crews
*  Fleet makes fast progress towards scoring gate and San Francisco.

The Pacific is throwing her full weight at the Clipper 09-10 fleet and
the last 24 hours have been tough. Now the winds have moved behind the
fleet they are making fast progress towards their goal of San Francisco
and they should continue to do so for the next few days.

The huge forces exerted on the 68-foot ocean racing yachts are powerful
and the massive seas and high winds mean the helms and on-watch crews
cannot lose focus for a second - but ask any of the crew and they’ll
tell you the thrill of riding the great ocean rollers is second to none.

Race Director, Jonathan Bailey, said, “It is clear from the forecasts
and subsequent reports that the fleet has endured some of the toughest
conditions so far. Lines that have breaking strain of many tonnes have
been exposed to huge forces and in those conditions it is inevitable
that things will break as the yachts battle against some of the most
extreme seas in the world. Kit preservation and good seamanship when
dealing with breakages is all part of the challenge and it is clear that
the teams are coping magnificently.”

Revelling in the conditions is the southern hemisphere entry, Spirit of
Australia.

“Surf’s up on the green and gold missile!” says Brisbane-based skipper,
Brendan Hall. “The last 12 hours have been some of the most exhilarating
sailing of the race so far. The large waves and 40 knot winds are now
behind us, pushing us along at terrific speeds. Helming in these
conditions is a knife edge proposition. Steer too far one way and the
headsail backs on itself, which can pop the hanks off; steer too far the
other way and a crash-gybe awaits. Concentration and assertive wheel
action is the key to keeping the boat on track. Still, the grin on the
face of the helmsman after a 20-knot surf is worth the pain and struggle
of getting here through the headwinds.”

Cape Breton Island’s eagle has soared up through the fleet to slip into
second place this morning and, says skipper, Jan Ridd, “We are sailing
very comfortably in a Force 9 gusting to Force 10 with some truly
magnificent seas, the Pacific showing its awesome power.”

However the Canadian team has negotiated some tricky conditions over a
wet and windy 24 hours. “We were sailing comfortably yesterday afternoon
with an economic sail plan when, in the early evening, the wind picked
up,” explains Jan. “We set about reducing sail area with the on watch
and once again my instincts were spot on. No sooner had we lashed the
headsails securely, a gust hit us which topped 56 knots. We went about
securing everything on deck and ensuring we were set for the night. I
must admit it was very unpleasant on deck with the true wind steady at
over 40 knots and a very confused sea as the wind backed.

“This morning, after a few hours sleep in my wet weather gear on the
floor beside the nav station, Luke (Dampier, 19, a student), one of the
watch leaders, woke me to tell me the wind had backed even more and
wanted to know if we could pole out the storm jib. After a quick
assessment we decided to change up to the bigger Yankee 3 headsail and
shake out a reef which meant a busy last hour to their watch. We held
those sails till just before lunch when again I started to feel edgy so
we hastily dropped the Number 3 and hoisted the storm jib again.”

Edinburgh Inspiring Capital has had a cracking run over the last 24
hours, lifting them from eighth to fifth place but they’ve had a sharp
reminder of the need to conserve their kit during this marathon race
across the largest ocean on the planet.

Skipper, Matt Pike, says, “This is more like a 68-foot windsurfer than a
yacht! There’s no place for a lapse in concentration. We plane at a
steady 15 knots until a big wave comes and hit 20 for a minute at a
time. A particularly vicious set came too close together and somehow we
made the top of the second crest, flying over it like a steeple chaser,
but this coincided with a 50 knot gust and we’re still clearing up four
hours later. The pole snapped like a match stick and a section of track
came off the mast. With nothing holding it, the sharp edges started
damaging the main and the cost of pushing hard suddenly became apparent.

“We now have the third reef in the main and the staysail and we’re still
topping 16 knots off the waves. The wind is a steady 35 knots with the
occasional gust of 40 and once the repairs are complete we’ll be back to
full speed.”

Jamaica Lightning Bolt’s skipper, Pete Stirling, explains the issue
isn’t the strong winds - it’s their inconsistency. “It’s been a couple
of days of vicious weather conditions which has slowed down progress
quite considerably,” he says. “Though it is quite possible to sail fast
in heavy weather conditions the problem is the weather is very
changeable which makes it very difficult to choose the right sail plan.
Last night we ran with a third-reefed mainsail and storm jib only but
this morning were forced to drop the mainsail when the reefing pennant
snapped and the block it passes round at the base of the mast was also
damaged. Repairs are currently underway to replace the broken line and
block. We are now running with the staysail only making a steady eight
knots boat speed in the right direction. We have seen 50 knots of wind
recorded on the wind instruments and expect it to get stronger tonight
so things could get really interesting! Still we have a very
conservative sail plan so should be able to handle anything the weather
can throw at us. The crew have been kept incredibly busy over the last
couple of days with multiple sail changes in very rough conditions.”

And while the Scottish and Jamaican entries have made gains, California
and Qingdao have seen their placings slip - in Qingdao’s case, from
third to eighth.

Chris Stanmore-Major says, “We found ourselves last night suddenly
caught in the middle of a 50-knot squall with apparent winds bouncing
higher than that initially. Luckily we were already pretty snugged down
but the initial blast was so strong it snapped the staysail halyard
sending the sail to the deck and half overboard and blew out the clew of
the storm jib, changing our mild mannered little friend into a crazed
animal shackled to the forestay. I was asleep at the time, taking an
hour as we had found our line, had good speed, a wind that was freeing
up and open water ahead. In a Wallace and Gromit manoeuvre I leapt clear
of my bunk and seemingly straight into my drysuit and was on deck before
I had both eyes open. Luckily the issue was not complex to deal with but
with the boat heading directly before the wind we still had too much
wind to re-hoist the staysail and we had to run the rest of the night on
trysail alone meaning we were slow and could not hold a course. The
outcome? Third to second last in the blink of an eye. This morning we
started to piece things back together and we started to rebuild the
storm jib.”

California has lost two places but is still very much in touch with Cape
Breton Island and Hull & Humber, their distances to the finish separated
by just three miles - astonishing after 1,300 miles of hard racing. Last
night was perhaps one of the hardest so far.

Skipper Pete Rollason reports, “The crew are absolutely exhausted after
enduring 50+ knot winds last night and making great speeds when all of a
sudden the second reef line snapped under the load, swiftly followed by
five sliders detaching themselves from the mast. The joys of ocean
racing; sometimes you cry out in exhilaration and sometimes you just
want to cry!

“The main has now been down and off for 12 hours with ongoing repairs
being completed as and when conditions allow, bearing in mind we still
have over 30 knots of wind. Hopefully we will be fully up and running
before dark and pushing hard to regain our second place and then resume
the kangaroo hunt.”

POSITIONS AT 0900 UTC, WEDNESDAY 10 MARCH 2010

1 Spirit of Australia DTF 4291
2 Cape Breton Island DTF 4341 DTL +50
3 Hull & Humber DTF 4341 DTL +50
4 California DTF 4345 DTL +53
5 Edinburgh Inspiring Capital DTF 4391 DTL +99
6 Jamaica Lightning Bolt DTF 4404 DTL +113
7 Uniquely Singapore DTF 4437 DTL +146
8 Qingdao DTF 4439 DTL +147
9 Team Finland DTF 5612 DTL +1321
10 Cork Did not start

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* Low pressure system delivers strong headwinds across the fleet
* California makes repairs to mainsail in tricky conditions
* Edinburgh Inspiring Capital chases the pack in some very wet
   conditions

With the first 1,000 miles of the race to California almost completed,
the forecasted low pressure system has finally arrived and the skippers
who were cursing the lack of wind yesterday now find themselves with
more than they bargained for. Strong headwinds have been hard going on
the teams and they will all be looking forward to the wind shifting
round and a return to the fast downwind sailing the Clipper 68s relish.

What a difference 24 hours makes,” says Jim Dobie, skipper of Uniquely
Singapore. “Yesterday we were in little wind and then bang! In rushed 30
to 40 knots and it has been with us ever since. The frustrating thing
has been the angle we have been forced to sail at and have lost quite a
bit of ground to the south. But as the low moves through, the wind will
veer round and we can head due north again before the wind settles in
behind us and we can get back to the fast downwind weather we love.

“The crew are a little worse for wear with tiredness etched on their
faces and all their clothes wet and damp. But as I always say, nothing
stays the same in the ocean and once we’re back in the high, clothes
will dry, skies will brighten and the smiles will return.”

Hull & Humber’s skipper, Piers Dudin, says, “The seas are getting a
little confused and the occasional slam jolts memories of our trip past
Taiwan. We’ve nearly reached the top of the hill in terms of our upwind
beat and are looking forward to giving Hull & Humber an easier ride
downwind.”

“Even moving round below decks requires constant effort in the confused
seas and as the wind shifts it’s likely to become even more so.”

Life on deck is just as difficult as that down below and none more so
than for the crew on board California.

“We needed to take the mainsail down and completely remove it from the
mast track in order to repair the top five sliders that had become
detached, ” explains skipper Pete Rollason. “This is no easy feat in the
shelter of a marina, let alone on a rough ocean in the conditions we’re
currently experiencing. The crew worked tirelessly to complete the
repairs and with everyone exhausted and soaking wet we hoisted the
mainsail.”

The strong headwinds are certainly taking their toll but the wind
strength continues to vary making sail choice particularly tricky as Jan
Ridd, skipper of Cape Breton Island explains.

“Most of the crew are coming to terms with having to sail close hauled
for the next few days as we fight our way out into the Pacific. The wind
is building and dropping and the highest gust our instruments have shown
was 48 knots, which dropped just minutes later to 19 knots.

“With the wind varying so much, the boat was set up last night for the
worst, with the storm jib accompanied by our normal staysail and the
third reef in the main. If the wind built the staysail could be dropped
allowing us to go into complete safe mode. Today the problem we have is
the boat is a little underpowered and just as we think we should put
more sail up the wind builds, the boat heels right over again and the
decision is made for us.”

Qingdao’s skipper, Chris Stanmore-Major, believes the worst is yet to
come and if he is right the already tired crews will need to dig deep to
find that extra bit of strength and determination.

“A great night’s sailing on board Qingdao with us returning to the
conditions we favoured so much during our time in the South China Sea,”
says Chris. “Last night however was only a precursor to the real show
which will probably start within the next 30 hours.

“With 40 knot winds predicted we will be experiencing up to 50 on the
nose if we are unfortunate enough to be at that angle to the wind. My
hope is that we can take some of that brutish wind strength on the beam
to catapult the dragon forward to the super sonic speeds we love.”

For the team on Edinburgh Inspiring Capital, the change in conditions
came all too quickly but according to skipper Matt Pike his crew are
revelling in the challenge as they push to Scottish boat hard to make
gains on the rest of the fleet.

Matt says, “Misty drizzle and a rolling swell was the weather as we
chased the small patches of breeze to reach the fleet - all the time
knowing soon the wind would fill in. It came in one solid wave and
caught us midway between sail changes.

“The chase begins now through the wet. We have salty spray, the slightly
fresher rain and the most easily identified, the solid wall of water
that comes crashing back swamping the whole boat. Below is no better as
everything is wet, no longer just damp but wringing wet. The crew have
stopped mentioning wet bunks but just crash out as they are for a much
needed rest before going ‘over the top’ through the companionway and
back into the fight. Still smiling the hardened crew take our tough
little boat forwards and push to gain those precious miles on the
competition.”

Meanwhile, back in Qingdao, Team Finland’s crew will be keeping a close
eye on the fleet’s progress as they await the arrival of their
replacement mast. The 90-foot spar has left Luxemburg and whilst the
Clipper Race team is doing everything to ensure a timely delivery in
Qingdao the journey is at the mercy of shipping agents, airlines and
customs. Team Finland is just ten points behind overall race leaders,
Spirit of Australia, having been awarded one point by the Race Committee
for Race 6 from Singapore to Qingdao. They will therefore be hoping for
a fast run across the Pacific if they are to close the gap and regain
the top spot once more.

Positions at 0900 UTC, Monday 8 March

Boat DTF* DTL*
1 Spirit of Australia 4662nm
2 California 4712nm 50nm
3 Qingdao 4726nm 63nm
4 Cape Breton Island 4747nm 84nm
5 Hull & Humber 4748nm 85nm
6 Jamaica Lightning Bolt 4751nm 89nm
7 Uniquely Singapore 4766nm 104nm
8 Edinburgh Inspiring Capital 4779nm 116nm
9 Team Finland 5612nm 180nm
10 Cork Did not start

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* Spirit of Australia pulls out a lead as the other yachts park up in
   variable winds
* Uniquely Singapore back to full strength after illness
* Non-stop evolutions for crew of Jamaica Lightning Bolt

The forecast headwinds have not yet materialised for the Clipper 09-10
fleet. Instead most of the teams on board the 68-foot ocean racing
yachts are contending with spells of variable and light winds which are
playing havoc with their speeds and ability to sail the course they
want. They have also spent lengthy stretches parked up, desperately
trying to find any breath of wind to keep them moving.

However Spirit of Australia, on a more northerly course than the others,
has been dealt a different hand, enabling them to pull out a lead over
the rest of the fleet. Skipper Brendan Hall says, “Japan faded into the
sunset last night, the last land we will see for another three weeks.
Thus far, the Pacific Ocean has not lived up to its name, delivering us
another night of near gale force winds and sheeting rain. More heavy
headsail changes were needed to keep Spirit of Australia on the pace.”

As Brendan says, their next glimpse of land will not come for more than
three weeks in this, the longest of the individual races that make up
the Clipper Race.

“Looking at the chart, the enormity of the ocean before us is daunting,”
he says, “But we have set ourselves lots of smaller milestones to aim
for and celebrate as we pass.”

Just 39 miles behind, the last 24 hours for California’s crew have been
frustrating as they find themselves with totally different conditions.

“This morning and overnight we have been beset by light winds, however,
with some favourable current we had been making good progress northeast
in the hunt for kangaroos. Then very suddenly the wind filled in to a
steady 20 knots from the north east which meant that we can no longer
take the course we want. It is so frustrating when you can get good boat
speed and not the desired course and we can only console ourselves with
the fact that all the other boats should be experiencing the same
dilemma. The forecast is for the wind to continue to build up to 30-35
knots from the north east and is due to last about 36 to 48 hours so we
will try to make the best course we can towards the Scoring Gate and San
Francisco.

“I hear that a number of crews have been suffering various illnesses and
California is no exception. We have a nasty cold doing the rounds that
is sapping the energy of those it gets hold of so we are working with
reduced numbers on deck while some people get some down time to fully
recover.”

Uniquely Singapore’s crew are back up to full strength after recovering
from the illness that has swept through their crew and there is a note
of optimism in skipper Jim Dobie’s report to the Race Office today.

He says, “After being at the back of the fleet since the start things
are starting to look up. As I write this I have now picked up Hull &
Humber, Jamaica Lightning Bolt and, of course, our companions, Edinburgh
Inspiring Capital. We’ve now got our act back together and the crew,
including me, are no longer queuing for the heads and reaching for
buckets - the bug has gone through, we have a full head count and can
now get to the business of racing.”

But, just when things are looking up, Mother Nature throws in a curve
ball and the wind doesn’t quite do what you’re expecting.

Jim explains, “Looking at the GRIB (weather file) we made a decision to
stay south of the incoming low which will take us away from the
favourable current but should allow us following winds sooner and not
such huge waves. However things are not going to plan… According to
our weather files we should be in some brisk headwinds but find
ourselves floundering around in little to no wind, trying to make some
headway. As we know, the ocean can change quickly so the next 24 hours
should see some dramatic changes in conditions and we’re look for any
signs of the movements of the low.”

Observing your environment to predict exactly when that pressure is
going to fill in and get your yacht moving again is a fine art and Cape
Breton Island’s skipper, Jan Ridd, seems to have the key.

“We are still in this unstable airflow with long periods of little or no
wind with short periods of a stiff breeze filling in,” he reports.
“Earlier this morning we were within sight of Hull & Humber and Qingdao
as we all ran into an area of light wind. When the crew asked me what
they could do, I said the best option would be to wait it out and see
where the wind fills in from. They were getting frustrated as they saw
both the other teams hoist their windseekers, trying to get the boats
moving. I still insisted we wait it out and, sure enough, within half an
hour we saw the wind build to a Force 6 and, as we sailed on course at
ten knots, we saw Qingdao hastily sailing away from the wind in the
wrong direction to reduce the apparent wind strength so they could drop
the windseeker without damage.”

Cape Breton Island is opting for a conservative sail plan for the coming
days to cope with the variable conditions, says Jan.

“All the boats are aware of an area of stronger winds to the north of
our position and every time the wind builds we are preparing ourselves
mentally for the expected 20+ knot head winds the forecast predicts. So
far all we have seen is brief spells which die as quickly as they start.
I am sure the wind will fill in eventually and we will start making some
good mileage towards San Francisco,” he adds.

Qingdao is just a mile ahead of the Canadian entry and experiencing the
same frustrations but the crew is coping well, according to their
skipper, Chris Stanmore-Major.

“With a weather file that shows I should be hammering east at 12 knots
hard on the wind with probably three reefs in, staysail and Yankee 3
flying and water rushing along the side decks, instead we are sitting in
a muggy patch of drizzle with sails slatting in a cheeky, choppy sea.
Rain runs down the crew’s faces as they stare upwards at the sails
trying to perceive some pattern or trend they can trim to but there is
nothing and, despite all the noise and motion, we remain resolutely
parked watching on the AIS every other boat picking its parking space
and rate of drift. The crew are unstinting in their efforts and humour,
making light of a frustrating situation.”

Qingdao has picked up a hitch hiker as well, reveals Chris. “In the
middle of this cold, wet, forlorn landscape a small, ragged scrap of
life has sought us out as a refuge and I write this eye to eye with a
house martin that has taken up residence in the nav station.”

Hull & Humber’s skipper, Piers Dudin, suggests the current situation in
which most of the teams find themselves adds to the excitement of the
race.

He says, “It’s good to have the whole fleet compressed again. It’s sure
to make for an epic few weeks. Breaking the back of ‘5,000 miles to go!’
is something you don’t get to do very often, rarely are such long
passages undertaken in one go. But after of months of training we like
to think we’re well set up for ‘The Big One’.

“The crew who joined us in Qingdao, Andrea, Tony, Nick and the ONE HULL
Ambassadors, Sonny and Nathan, have adjusted to life in ‘Umberland
admirably and are already solid handy crew members.

“The rain still fails to dampen spirits as we’re getting used to the
on-off weather patterns. We doubt it’ll last long and we’re set up for a
solid two days of up-hill deep-reef wave bashing, before the proper
downhill sled run begins.”

The hugely ambitious crew of Jamaica Lightning Bolt has been working
flat out to keep their yacht moving.

Pete Stirling says, “So much for the deep blue Pacific Ocean and
favourable winds. Apart from the lack of fishing boats and merchant
shipping this is really no more of a pleasure than the Yellow Sea was.
It is quite a bit warmer but with constant wind shifts a sloppy sea and
heavy rain. The standing joke amongst this morning’s 8am to 2pm six-hour
watch is that they only did one evolution. The thing is they did lots
but they never stopped between each of them. I did let them stop once
for 15 minutes for a tea break so I guess that means they did two
evolutions. This afternoon’s watch are waiting to get on deck with eager
anticipation!”

“After playing out our hand we have ended up with the rest of the fleet
in a tight circle waiting for the north easterly gale that has been
forecast,” says Matt Pike. He says the wet, tiring and frustrating
conditions are preventing Edinburgh Inspiring Capital from getting into
her stride.

“We had a great sail out through the straits from south Japan and were
looking to continue east then suddenly, and in about 20 boat lengths,
the wind was gone! Rain followed squall followed rain and pursuing the
best course to windward has us back in the pack. So now we wait and,
when the wind fills in, we shall be off on a new start and onwards to
California.”

POSITIONS AT 1500 UTC, SUNDAY 7 MARCH 2010

1 Spirit of Australia DTF 4736
2 California DTF 4775 DTL +39
3 Qingdao DTF 4802 DTL +66
4 Cape Breton Island DTF 4803 DTL +67
5 Hull & Humber DTF 4809 DTL +73
6 Jamaica Lightning Bolt DTF 4812 DTL +77
7 Uniquely Singapore DTF 4821 DTL +85
8 Edinburgh Inspiring Capital DTF 4828 DTL +92
9 Team Finland DTF 5612 DTL +876
10 Cork Did not start

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* Skippers and crews keen reach the open ocean
* Uniquely Singapore crew bugged by illness
* Clipper Race founder, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, receives prestigious award

The skippers and teams of Clipper 09-10 are ready to hit the open ocean again. The frustration of dodging container shipping and fishing fleets is beginning to grate, and the vast emptiness of the Pacific Ocean can’t come soon enough.

Spirit of Australia’s skipper Brendan Hall says, “I am very much looking forward to getting around Japan and out into the Pacific, leaving behind the shipping, fishing fleets, obstructions and fickle Yellow Sea winds. We’ve had more variable winds overnight and this morning. More heavy sail changes as we respond to the shifts in wind angle and speed.”

As the crew shake off the last remnants of seasickness the gloves are back on for the Boxing Kangaroo and the Aussies are getting ready to go the full 12 rounds. Kit preservation will be top of the agenda, safety and rig checks a part of the daily routine of life on board.

“This morning, we noticed some chafe on a few of our lines, which we have quickly repaired,” says Brendan.

The Cape Breton Island eagle is getting ready to spread her wings as soon as she is out of the confines of the Yellow Sea but it’s taking longer than skipper, Jan Ridd, would like. “It has been a frustrating 24 hours as we ran into an area of very light winds last night and made little or no progress,” he says. “The Yellow Sea is being as fickle as ever, giving you brief teasers of a decent breeze only to take it away again 20 minutes later. The weather files were originally quite accurate but for the last few hours we have been experiencing wind from exactly the opposite of the forecast. Although it is no longer cold it has been replaced with a fine misty rain which reminds me so much of sailing back in the UK!

“Apart from the fickle weather, everybody seems to be settling in well and getting used to the on board routines. I cannot wait to get into the Pacific Ocean and get away from the mad Chinese fishing fleets and find some stable wind.”

After a slow start to their Clipper 09-10 campaign, California are putting in consistently decent performances and are determined to win this race to their home port. There are still plenty of points available between now and the finish on the Humber on 17 July and, as has already been seen, the fate of a team can change in the blink of an eye. The wind can appear just as quickly but Pete Rollason and the crew of the American yacht were ready for it when it happened this morning.

He says, “After a really frustrating time of little or no wind when Cape Breton Island, Spirit of Australia and ourselves have all been in sight of each other while really going nowhere, in a matter of seconds the wind picked up to 28 knots. The crew reacted with lightning speed and, before I could say too much, had wrestled the Yankee 1 down to the deck, hoisted the Yankee 2 and were busy preparing to flake and bag the Yankee 1 while one crew member went down below to make tea. It was completed like any other every task you may undertake, but this is no everyday task and undertaken by the extraordinary people that I am sailing with.”

A racing headsail change takes a huge amount of energy and teamwork but for the more than 83,000 people playing the Clipper Virtual Race online at www.clipperroundtheworld.com a sail change takes no more than the click of a button - and you don’t get a soaking on the foredeck! It’s not too late to sign up to the game and take part in the transpacific race to pit your skills against those of the teams competing in Clipper 09-10.

Back on the water those ever-shifting winds have been frustrating progress.

“Twenty-four hours of constant changes,” reports Piers Dudin from on board Hull & Humber. “We’ve had every wind from every direction and all sorts of sail plans making their contribution to some frustrating progress. Looks like the race just got tough! The crew, however, are on top form, driving each sail to its maximum and keeping us in touch with the front runners. The rain isn’t dampening the mood just yet although any glimpse of sun is received with cheers already.

“I’m looking forward to stepping off the continental shelf back into some deep blue once we shake Japan and her islands. Until then there’s still plenty of shipping and fishing to keep us entertained.”

You get a really clear view of where the continental shelf finishes and how far away from that deeper water the fleet is if you click the ’satellite’ tab on the race viewer.

The varying wind conditions have left the Jamaica Lightning Bolt crew exhausted but happy after 24 hours of sail change after sail change, says skipper Pete Stirling. “The one consolation is that the work has kept their bodies warm and their minds occupied. Unable to lay the course to the southern tip of Japan we decided to head east last night unlike most of the rest of the fleet which headed south. The forecast was for the wind to veer round to the north east which would then give us a better angle on the course. The forecast, however, is completely wrong and we currently have a southerly wind which is 180 degrees out on the forecasted direction. We have no choice now but to continue with what we have so time will tell if we find ourselves in a better position than the rest of the boats.”

Uniquely Singapore is just a few miles from Jamaica Lightning Bolt but a bug that has swept through the crew has forced them to sail more conservatively than they would like.

Skipper Jim Dobie explains, “Our land based friend which made it on to the boat and has managed to claim more crew including myself now. This made for quite the interesting night. So, once again, a night filled with fishing fleets, the Korean navy and today the American Navy made for some wonderful sailing. Clearly with me out of action, a lot of crew down and the magical busy traffic we were forced into a cautious night of sailing and once again were saddened to see the loss of miles against the other yachts. However we are made of strong stuff and once the air of sickness has left Uniquely Singapore we will once again rise up and chase down the others as best as possible. Luckily it happened to us at the beginning of the race with 5,000 or more miles to play with. At the moment Rachel (medic/vet) is supervising a disinfectant session including all the galley crockery and utensils, the heads, all the surfaces and the bilges. I’m pretty sure if she had her way she would try and dip us, too. The wind seems to be filling in nicely and we can’t wait to clear the south coast of Japan and head into the Pacific to leave our dear fisherman friends behind.”

There’s a trick to avoiding the fishing boats that the Hong Kong based skipper of Qingdao has been playing to his advantage. Chris Stanmore-Major says, “At the moment we are beset by fog and drizzle and the scene could well be the Solent or the Thames. The only difference is the huge number of shabby Chinese fishing boats which have been our constant companions since our departure from Qingdao.  I have read much from the other skippers about being pushed back and off course by these fleets but experience from Hong Kong tells me to aim for the middle and simply dodge those who, in curiosity, get too close. Out here the fishing style is with pots on the sea bed so the vessels can be passed at close range. The effect of this realisation on watch leaders has been profound and they now pass through fleets of 50 or 60 vessels with the deck lights blazing and a light hand on the helm rather than biting their nails and stressing.  Am I going to tell the other skippers about this? Hmm… Maybe tomorrow or perhaps the next day.”

Edinburgh Inspiring Capital’s crew have loved the sailing over the last 24 hours. Skipper Matt Pike reports, “The best sailing ever! Despite the cold and overcast sky Edinburgh Inspiring Capital picked up in the thirty knots, the following sea and flew. 15… 16… the surfing speed records kept falling as a new helm took over at the ‘concentration station’. We maxed at 19.7kts and an hour’s run of 13.6 - a great afternoon’s sail. Dusk came and a change of direction in the wind slowed us down overnight and by dawn we were back to chasing the breeze with the wind seeker. As for the next 24 hours, we will see what it brings, but one thing’s for sure the crew of Edinburgh Inspiring Capital has never felt so strong as a team!”

The Clipper Race was founded by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first man to sail solo and non-stop around the world more than 40 years ago. Since the first race set off in 1996 more than 2,000 people like you have learned to sail and taken on the world’s oceans in this unique challenge and interest in the race has never been higher - more than half the berths for Clipper 11-12 have already been filled.
Today Sir Robin is in New York to receive a top sailing award. The Cruising Club of America has selected the British sailing legend to receive its prestigious Blue Water Medal, without date, for a lifetime devoted to the advancement of sailing, sail training and youth development and on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of his singlehanded, non-stop circumnavigation of the world. In the 85-year history of the CCA’s Blue Water Medal only seven Medals have been awarded without date. The medal will be presented this evening by CCA Commodore, Sheila McCurdy (Middletown, R.I.), during the club’s annual Awards Dinner at the New York Yacht Club in New York.
Blue Water Medallists have included such luminaries of the sailing world as Sir Francis Chichester, Pete Goss and Bernard Moitessier, whose boat Joshua led the Clipper 09-10 fleet from La Rochelle in September last year.
POSITIONS AT 1200 UTC, FRIDAY 5 MARCH 2010

1 Spirit of Australia DTF 5103
2 California DTF 5103 DTL +0
3 Cape Breton Island DTF 5103 DTL +0
4 Hull & Humber DTF 5111 DTL +8
5 Qingdao DTF 5125 DTL +16
6 Jamaica Lightning Bolt DTF 5125 DTL +22
7 Uniquely Singapore DTF 5133 DTL +30
8 Edinburgh Inspiring Capital DTF 5143 DTL +40
9 Team Finland DTF 5612 DTL +509
10 Cork Did not start

(DTF = Distance to Finish, DTL = Distance to Leader)
Full positions are updated every three hours and can be found at www.clipperroundtheworld.com.

Become a fan of the Clipper Race on Facebook: www.facebook.com/clipperroundtheworld

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

The Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race started on 13 September from the Humber on the UK’s east coast and will return there in July 2010 after 35,000 miles of ocean racing. No previous sailing experience is required to take part as full training is provided. Crew can sign up for the whole circumnavigation or one or more legs. The overall race is divided into individual races and points are accumulated according to each individual race position. The yacht with the highest total at the finish wins the race trophy.

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 All 16 crew have been safely evacuated to two sister yachts, Team Finland and California. All are safe and next of kin have been informed.

The Irish entry was sailing in 20-knot winds when she struck a rock off the small island of Gosong Mampango at 2018 GMT, 13 January The yacht was competing in the fifth race of the biennial global challenge which left Geraldton, Western Australia for Singapore on 3 January 2010.

Initial reports from skipper Richie Fearon stated that the boat is lying on her side on the rock with the toe rail under water and that some hull damage has occurred. Because the winds were increasing, the crew evacuated to the island as a precaution. Competitors Team Finland and California were in the vicinity and immediately stood by off shore. The skipper and crew of Cork have subsequently used their life rafts to transfer to the waiting boats and all are now safely on board. Team Finland’s skipper Rob McInally is relaying updates with both the race organisers and the coastguard agencies.

The yachts on station are best placed to assess the situation and consider what salvage options are practical. Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Chairman of race organisers Clipper-Ventures said, ‘Clearly our priority has been the safety of the crew and we have received confirmation that all on-board have evacuated the boat and are now safe. Their welfare is our prime concern at this time.’

At this stage, it is too early to consider what impact the incident will have on the Irish entry and whether the team will be able to continue in the 10-month-long 35,000 mile race around the world.

California is now making her way on towards Singapore with eight of the Cork team on board. The remaining eight crew members, including skipper Richie Fearon, are on Team Finland which continues to monitor the situation.

Qingdao has now joined Team Finland and when the wind dropped earlier today, skipper Chris Stanmore-Major and team member Chris Connell (who is an active crew member with the RNLI) went ashore on Gosong Mampango in order to conduct a further assessment of the damage to Cork. This included taking digital photographs and video footage which can be sent back from the boats communication system, so that experts from around the world can better assess the situation and formulate a plan of action.

Edinburgh Inspiring Capital is also now abeam of the island. Colin Campbell, one of the team members on board, is a naval architect and he will provide further expert advise on the situation and the best options for recovery.

The Cork crew’s passports are already safely on board Team Finland and other valuables were collected when the boat was assessed earlier today.

In the event that Cork is unable to start Races 6 and 7, crew places will be available across the nine other yachts for the leg to Qingdao in late February and on to San Francisco in early April. Long before then, a clear understanding of the longer term implications will have become apparent and Clipper will keep all interested parties fully updated.

 Of the boats whose position are known Spirit of Australia continues to lead the race with Jamaica Lightning Bolt and Uniquely Singapore close behind. With boats diverting to deal with the emergency, there will clearly be requests for redress once the fleet has arrived in Singapore.

Unsurprisingly, everyone’s thoughts are with their fellow competitors from Cork. Jan Ridd, skipper of Cape Breton Island, sent back the following to race HQ this morning.
 
“We are all so glad to hear that everyone on board Cork is safe and that no one was hurt. We cannot imagine how terrifying it must have been as the weather was awful last night and at one point, we experienced wind speeds of 56 knots.

“We are now in a very close tacking match with Spirit of Australia and Jamaica Lightning Bolt, but to be honest since receiving the news about the seriousness of Cork’s situation to both myself and the crew, the racing does not seem important right now.”

.

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was first across the start line to the delight of the home crowd as Race 5 of the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race got underway. Hundreds of supporters lined the breakwater in Geraldton, Western Australia, and cheered as the Australian team raced past with the other nine internationally sponsored yachts in hot pursuit. Conditions were perfect for the beginning of the next leg to Singapore with a strong southerly breeze blowing 15-20 knots.Spirit of Australia’s skipper, Brendan Hall, said, “I’m really looking forward to this one, it’s going to have a different flavour – a bit of an ocean race to start off with but then going up through Indonesia the navigational hazards are going to be a real challenge. It’s something a bit different but also something to sink our teeth into.

Spirit of Australia

 

Speaking ahead of the race start,

“The enthusiasm and the effort put into this stopover by the people of Geraldton has been absolutely fantastic. Words can’t describe the welcome we’ve had, all the crew have had a fantastic time in Western Australia and we’ll all be very sad to leave.”

Spirit of Australia was followed across the line by California and their closest rivals, Team Finland, with only three points separating the Finns and the Aussies on the overall leader board. Chasing the front three and in order across the line were Cape Breton Island, Uniquely Singapore, Edinburgh Inspiring Capital, Jamaica Lightning Bolt, Cork, Ireland, Hull & Humber and Qingdao.

By the time the fleet rounded the first mark, Hull & Humber had moved into third place with Spirit of Australia holding the lead and the Californian entry staying in second place. As the fleet headed out to sea the crews, who come from all walks of life, were just getting their spinnakers ready for hoist as the boats disappeared from view.

Race 5 is one of the most interesting and varied races of Clipper 09-10. The initial part will deliver some very high average speeds as the teams head north across the Indian Ocean. Approaching Christmas Island the conditions will then change quite dramatically as they sail across the Monsoon Trough, an area similar to the Doldrums where the winds will drop and temperatures will soar.

Race Director, Joff Bailey, says, “The crews face a number of challenges on this race and the winner will be the team that can quickly exit the light patch of winds and get themselves into the steady airflow further north. The boats will also be crossing the Equator again and the new crew joining for this leg will have to meet King Neptune just before the finish.”

 

The fleet is now racing towards the first of many gates on the course and this one is particularly poignant as it marks the site of HMAS Sydney, the Leander Class light cruiser which went down with all hands in February 1941. Following a fierce engagement with the Komoran, a German raider, both ships sank and while many from the German vessel managed to launch their life boats, HMAS Sydney went down so quickly that no one survived. 645 officers and men perished, making it the biggest single loss of life for the Australian Navy.

Each yacht has picked a representative to lay tributes in the form of a wreath of flowers as their boat passes over the war grave. They include a tribute from Her Majesty’s Royal Australian Navy which will be laid at the site by the crew of Spirit of Australia. During the three-week stop in Geraldton the fleet has been overlooked by a beautiful war memorial dedicated to the servicemen who lost their lives. Prior to the race start some of the crew headed up to the site to pay their respects, the centre point of which is a dome made up of 645 interlocking steel seagulls.

 

Jamaica Lightning Bolt’s skipper, Peter Stirling, sums up the feelings of all. “I know I speak for all my crew when I say what a brilliant stopover we had in Geraldton. From the moment we stepped ashore we had a fantastic reception from everyone we met. Several very well organised events were laid on including the procession / prize giving event, the New Year’s Eve party and the send off / race start. The people of Geraldton Greenough should be very proud of what they achieved.”

He adds, “For me the stopover was made particularly special by the fact that my girlfriend agreed to marry me.” Congratulations Pete and Su!

Now attention is turned once more to the racing. “Game faces on and we’re back in action,” as Spirit of Australia’s skipper, Brendan Hall, says. 

California’s crew will be hoping the new year brings a reversal of fortune. They got off to a flying start, following Spirit of Australia across the start line in second place yesterday and, says skipper Pete Rollason, “Thereafter we switched into top gear and sailed passed her. We are now locked in a very close battle with Uniquely Singapore, Jamaica Lightning Bolt and Qingdao. Everyone is finding it strange to be back on the race course after such a long and enjoyable stopover.”

Cape Breton Island has taken the early advantage overnight, nosing ahead of Uniquely Singapore whose crew are hoping to become the first in this edition of the Clipper Race to win the race to their home port.

Across the fleet there has been quite a large crew changeover in Australia and, with five new people joining the Canadian team for the race to Singapore, skipper, Jan Ridd, knows it will take a little time for them to get back into the rhythm of life on the ocean. He says, “It has been quite an interesting first night for Race 5, after a good start we decided to hoist the spinnaker early and see if we could pull out an early lead. We held the spinnaker until nightfall and then dropped it and sailed under white sails overnight, very mindful of the long break we have all enjoyed as well as the new crew who have just joined.

“We are now on course for the Sunda Straits and have hoisted the spinnaker again but by the way the boat is swinging it feels like the crew are having trouble controlling it so it will not be long before we drop and go with poled out headsail. The long break in Australia was well needed but I am well aware that we all need to now focus on the race and put all our efforts towards getting our first podium position.”

Uniquely Singapore won’t easily let go of their chances of victory and a hero’s welcome at Marina at Keppel Bay on 23 January. Skipper Jim Dobie says, “Overnight we took the offshore option as we figured there would be more wind so, while one half of the fleet chose the inshore route, we went with the other half offshore and, as expected, the wind held out through the night.

“It seems now we are in the thick of the fleet with boats everywhere. From here it is a drag race straight for the scoring gate and it will make an exciting next four to five days of close racing. So as the crew settle down once more into the routine of a race yacht we look forward now to the fantastic reception that will greet us in Singapore.”

With just a dozen or so miles separating the teams at this stage of the race, Jamaica Lightning Bolt has also been mixing it up with the leaders – in second place at the 0600 UT sched, losing just a mile to Uniquely Singapore by the 0900 UT update on the Race Viewer, click here to view.

They, too, are settling in to the routine of life on an ocean racing yacht, says skipper, Peter. “The conditions have been perfect for the first day back at sea with good winds, mainly behind the beam, and a moderate sea state. With Australia having been such a long stopover the crew are inevitably a bit rusty and it will take a bit longer for them to find their sea legs. Furthermore we have six new crew on board, our biggest crew changeover of the race so far, and for them the favourable conditions are even more welcome.”

As well as new crew, Team Finland has a new skipper, Rob McInally taking over the reins from Eero Lehtinen who made the tough decision to step down at the end of Leg 3. Rob, who skippered Nova Scotia in Clipper 07-08, is taking a cautious approach to the start of this race.

He says, “After crossing the start line third we rounded the windward mark in fourth but took Hull & Humber as we turned. The kite went up for a time and then a bigger one then, as agreed by the crew, we are now enjoying the poled out Yankee 2 allowing less pressure on us and our yacht at these early stages of what is sure to be a very eventful leg. Meanwhile the crew and I are properly getting to know each other.”

Hull & Humber and Cork, Ireland got to know each other a little too well at the start of Race 4 – not so this time and both crews are clearly revelling in the experience of being back on the race track amongst the whole of the fleet.

Cork’s skipper, Richie Fearon says, “It is great to be racing in among the fleet again and at the minute we can see eight other boats around us which is fantastic racing. We were in ninth place earlier today but, as we’ve converged on the site of the HMAS Sydney II, we have passed five boats on the water and we have the others in our sight. We ran with a number 2 and one reef in the main for most of the night and changed to a full main and heavy weight spinnaker earlier this morning which has given us the advantage to pass half of the fleet. The crew is working very well on board and the hunger is in the crew now to start delivering the results and building on our victory in the race to Cape Town.”

Piers Dudin, Hull & Humber’s skipper, says, “We cleared the start line in clear air and at speed and with plenty of space – if a little late – but made it out of the bay in third place. Then the games really began! We’ve been peeled to the binoculars trying to keep track on the ‘who’s who?’ that Race 5 is quickly becoming. The fleet has been belting along in familiar southerlies and now our course opens up for the scoring gate in 950 nm - about five days’ time.

“It’s great to be out racing again with the others and refreshing to see such a turnaround in the standings! Mikey and Jack our ambassadors are living up to the high helming standards set by their predecessors. It’s pretty humid and a little overcast but as long as there’s wind it’s GAME ON!”

Wind is one thing the Race Office is keeping a very close eye on during this leg as Tropical Cyclones can be a big issue in this region at this time of year.

Race Director Joff Bailey explains, “There are two Tropical lows that the Australian Bureau of Meteorology is tracking at the moment which are in our area of concern. The first is near Darwin and is expected to become a Cat 1 Tropical Cyclone tomorrow and cross the coast near Darwin. The second is well to the west of the fleet and is moving further west. Forecasts have now downgraded this Tropical Low and are not expecting it to become a Tropical Cyclone. The Race Office is monitoring both of these systems and at the moment doesn’t consider that either of them will cause the fleet any issues.”

The Race Office will continue to monitor and advise the fleet accordingly – in the meantime the ten 68-foot ocean racing yachts are making fast progress north and making the most of the southerly airflow provided by the Indian Ocean High.

Early this morning the teams passed the first waypoint at the wreck of HMAS Sydney, a designated war grave 230 miles north west of Geraldton. They were there for a purpose – to pay tribute to the 645 men who were lost when the ship sank with all hands following a fierce battle with the German ship, Kormoran, in November 1941. The wreck site was discovered in 2008 and a memorial to those who died, among them men from Geraldton serving on board, now stands in the city.

Passing over HMAS Sydney’s final resting place was a poignant moment for all. Peter Stirling says, “We actually sailed almost directly over the site of the wreck and after dropping the wreath over the side observed a two minute silence as a mark of respect.”

Uniquely Singapore’s crew also held a minute’s silence as they laid their wreath on the ocean and Cape Breton Island’s skipper, Jan Ridd, says, “It was a solemn moment whilst we gathered on the aft of our yacht and thought of all the lives that were lost.”

 

Edinburgh Inspiring Capital crew member, Paul Rogers, read a touching tribute as they paid their respects. Paul, a 37 year old plumber from Hampshire, has joined the Scottish crew for this leg of the race to Singapore and Qingdao. As he visited the memorial in Geraldton before setting sail Paul read words sent to him by Spirit of Australia crew member, Lance Costello. Lance will race on leg 7 of the Clipper Race but asked Paul to speak on his behalf. Lance’s uncle was on board HMAS Sydney and is one of the 645 names engraved on the memorial.

In addition to their own wreath, Spirit of Australia’s crew laid another on behalf of the Royal Australian Navy. Skipper Brendan Hall says simply, “Crossing the gate over the wreck site was a touching moment for all of us as we quietly set adrift the wreaths into a building swell under a steel grey sky. Lest we forget…”

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The closing date for entries for next year’s Shetland Round Britain & Ireland race is just one month away (January 31st). With a maximum of 50 boats allowed and 44 competitors already booked in spaces are limited.

The Shetland Round Britain & Ireland race has the support of many sailing greats including: Sir Robin Knox-Johnston; Steve Fosset and Pete Goss MBE. It is a truly global event with competitors taking part in 2010 deriving from Great Britain, France, Netherlands, Norway, Finland and Belgium.

Many well known sailors have already signed up, including the winner of the OSTAR 2009 (Original Single-handed Trans-Atlantic Race), Jankees Lampe. Jankees broke the record for a 40ft vessel when he completed the trans-Atlantic race earlier this year, finishing in just 17 days, 17 hours and 40 minutes. He will certainly be the one to watch in next year’s race and will be competing in his boat Roaring Again. The forty footer is strong and fast and ideally suited to the rigorous conditions north of Scotland.

Race regulars, Jerry Freeman and Mary Falk will be joining forces to sail together in Mary’s sloop Q11. Jerry has already sailed the Q11 to America in this summer’s OSTAR. Both Jerry and Mary are no strangers to the Shetland Round Britain & Ireland Race having taken part an astounding five times before.

Another sailor whose love for the race has bought him back to compete after nearly 30 years, is Finnish sailor David Von Flittner. This time David will be sailing with his son Nicholas in their 50ft trimaran, Rauma Repola. 

Shetland Islands Council, who announced its sponsorship of the event in June, is now gearing up to promote the race and welcome the crews to Lerwick, one of the four compulsory stops during the race. Shetland is the ideal sponsor of the Shetland Round Britain & Ireland 2010 due to its maritime links and history, as well as its 35 marinas.

The race will depart from Plymouth on 6th June 2010 and see the competitors sail 2000 nautical miles around the UK coastline. The race has been hosted by the Royal Western Yacht Club every four years since 1966.

Douglas Irvine, Business Development Manager for Shetland Islands Council, commented: “We are thrilled to have seen the places snapped up so quickly. We are still a month to the deadline and only six remain. This is certainly testament to the race itself which has been running for more than 40 years. This is one of the reasons we wanted to play a part in the race once again. We will now look forward to the race start and inviting the sailors to a warm Shetland welcome when they arrive in Lerwick.”

“The trials and tests of this four yearly adventure are so addictive that old friends return again and again,” adds Peter Taylor, Race Director of Shetland Round Britain & Ireland Race 2010. “And we are more than pleased to welcome them back to Plymouth. Not only are we delighted to see Jankees Lampe, Mary Falk and Jerry Freeman, it will also be good to see Desmond Hampton, veteran of three previous races and now taking part with his long-time sailing partner Adrian Biggs.  Both men are into their sixties and their experience and boat, a water ballasted 40 footer, are sure to hold them in good stead.”

For further information about the Round Britain & Ireland 2010 race and those taking part please visit www.rwyc.org. For further information about the race sponsor, Shetland Islands Council, please visit www.shetlandmarinas.com.

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