 Scotland football manager Alex McLeish was out on the water in Durban, South Africa, to cheer on Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper at the start of Leg 3 of the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race this afternoon.
Hull & Humber was first over the start line at 13.00 local time (11.00 GMT). They were closely followed by Qingdao, just metres behind them, and Nova Scotia. At the other end of the start line Jamaica had the edge over Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper and westernaustralia2011.com. Uniquely Singapore, Liverpool 08, Durban 2010 and Beyond followed, with New York crossing the start line four and a half minutes behind Hull & Humber.
 As she and her crew made final preparations for this gruelling leg across the infamous Southern Ocean in this 4,220-mile race to Fremantle, Western Australia, Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper’s skipper Hannah Jenner said, “We’re very, very excited and we’re obviously going to try to get the boat on the podium again. We’ve had the biggest crew changeover so far so there are a few nervous looking people who’ve got no idea what to expect just yet. We just want to get off the dock, get started and get settled in, but we’re really looking forward to it.”
Leaving Durban Marina this morning, the fleet sailed in formation past Wilson’s Wharf where they were serenaded by the Lady in White in an echo of the days during World War II when Perla Seidle Gibson sang farewell to every troop ship leaving the port of Durban. They were lead out of the harbour by a strike craft from the South African Navy, Isaac Dyhoba, and accompanied by a flotilla of small boats. Following another formation sail past Durban’s iconic beachfront the yachts spread out to allow the crews to prepare themselves for the battle to be first across the line.
The Clipper fleet has enjoyed a little over a week in Durban Marina, where they have been made very welcome by Point Yacht Club and neighbouring Royal Natal Yacht Club and enjoyed many of the sights and spectacles Africa’s sporting and events capital has to offer.
Durban City Manager, Dr Michael Sutcliffe said, “It’s been stunning to have the Clipper fleet here. It’s added extra colour and excitement to the city. Certainly for the yachting community this is a great event. It’s sad to see them go but we hope they’ve had fun and we look forward next time round to welcome back the Clipper team.”
On Saturday the Scotland football manager, Alex McLeish, visited the Glasgow team on board to congratulate them on their hat-trick of podium finishes in the three races of the series so far. He spent half an hour with Hannah and the crew, looking over the 68-foot yacht along with Gordon Smith and George Peat of the Scottish Football Association who are in Durban for the Preliminary Draw of the FIFA 2010 World Cup.
Hannah and the crew also received a letter from Scotland’s First Minister, the Right Honourable Alex Salmond, MSP, who wrote, “I am following Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper in the 2007-08 Clipper Race with great interest and I congratulate your team on their achievements thus far. By embarking on this remarkable journey, your team is acting as an ambassador for the city of Glasgow and for all of Scotland. With your efforts and the recent bid win for Glasgow to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games, there is remarkable opportunity for Glasgow to create a lasting sporting legacy and to create a strong reputation for sporting excellence on the international stage.”
This leg of Clipper 07-08 is set to be the most gruelling yet, as the crews battle with towering waves and strong winds. It is also likely to be one of the most thrilling, where the matched fleet of 68-foot ocean racing yachts reach speeds of up to 30 knots as they surf down the Southern Ocean rollers.
After a week of strong winds in Durban, the yachts had to cope with light airs today, with westernaustralia2011.com making the best of the conditions, moving from sixth at the start line to third around the first mark and holding that position behind the leading pair of Hull & Humber and Qingdao around the third mark. Their progress can now be followed with the six-hourly updates on the race viewer at www.clipperroundtheworld.com.
The fleet is due to arrive on approximately 16 December in Fremantle, Western Australia, which has just won the right to stage the ISAF Sailing World Championship in 2011. |