Home News Product Reviews Health & Fitness Features Healthy Eating

ARCHIVE NEWS

If it is not your content, try to search here:
Sailing - 21. May 2008.

Race 10 to Jamaica gets underway in Clipper 07-08





Panama



The last four yachts to transit the Panama Canal sailed out into the
Caribbean on Sunday 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.

sailingjamaicaheatherewing.jpg
credit: Heather Ewing/onEdition
Jamaica in Miraflores Locks, Panama Canal before the start of Race 10 from Panama to Jamaica in the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race.



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, ³The race is going to be manic because it¹s a sprint so
there¹s not going to be any weather routing issues or anything. It¹s just
going to be side by side for four days so it¹s going to be tough and
demanding. We seem to be able to push the boat harder than most. It¹s
challenging but we¹re very good at it.²

sailingheatherewing.jpg
credit: Heather Ewing/onEdition
Nova Scotia, Qingdao and Liverpool 08 pass beneath the Bridge of the Americas before the start of Race 10 from Panama to Jamaica in the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race.



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, ³I reckon this race is going to be a lot more difficult than
the last one, definitely. It¹s another different experience, beating all the
way. We¹re confident of getting another first place. We¹ve got a good crew
on here, so I reckon we can do it again.²

Skipper Danny Watson agrees. ³We¹ve got very good crew morale at the
moment,² he says. ³We¹ve had two firsts out of the last three races and we
all enjoy each other¹s company. Everyone¹s up for giving it a real good
blast for four days up to Jamaica.²

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, ³Our 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.²

sailinghullandhammerheatherewing.jpg
credit: Heather Ewing/onEdition
Hull & Humber heads out of Shelter Cove into the Caribbean for the start of Race 10 from Panama to Jamaica in the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race.



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,
³Going 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 you¹ve
travelled across a continent.²

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
[email protected].
Thank you so much, if you tweet or share
UP
Have you read it?
England Women squads named for white-ball tour to New Zealand
Gilles & Poirier Golden at ISU Four Continents Championships
Please follow us