 Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper arrived in Fremantle to an emotional welcome on Sunday afternoon after a grueling race across the Southern Ocean during which they successfully recovered a crew member who was washed overboard during a headsail change 660 miles off the coast of South Africa.
Skipper Hannah Jenner and her team finished Race 4 of the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race into Fremantle in sixth place on Sunday. The Glaswegians crossed the finish line off the Maritime Museum in the Swan River at 1402 local time (0502 GMT 15 December) at the end of the three-week Southern Ocean leg.
“It is a great relief to finally be here in Fremantle after 4,000 miles at sea and after recovering a man overboard early in the race. It was a tough thing to go through and I think all the crew is ready to unwind a bit,” Skipper Hannah Jenner, 26, said, after entering the harbour to the applause of crews lined up on the other Clipper racing yachts.
Hannah praised the way her crew dealt with the incident when a 42-year old crew member was washed overboard from the foredeck during a night watch. “Everybody did everything exactly by the book as they were trained to, and the fact we had him back onboard so quickly in those conditions says a lot about the team. I think the whole experience has brought us even closer together,” she said on the dockside at Fremantle Sailing Club. “Although we didn’t get a podium position in this race, I think everyone onboard acknowledges that our prize was getting everyone here safely,” Hannah said.
Clipper Race Director Jonathan Bailey said: “Ocean yacht racing is not just about being physically strong, it is also about being mentally strong. Hannah and her crew have shown that they are not lacking in either of these qualities. Having any adverse incident on a boat tests the resolve and strength of the crew but an incident that could have caused serious injury or even a fatality to a fellow crew member tests the mental strength of all those involved to the limit.
“This mental strength has allowed the Glasgow crew to focus on completing the race over the last three weeks and producing a credible result. However, the outpouring of emotion and relief of finally being able to relax once the boat was safely tied up was obvious to see as they finally arrived at Fremantle Sailing Club.”
Liz Cameron, Vice Chair of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, sponsor of Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper said: “Everyone in Glasgow is delighted to hear that the crew is safe and well, and we hope that the crew can now spend some time relaxing over the festive period in Fremantle.”
Gordon Ritchie, Clipper Project Manager at Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, said: “It is remarkable that the Glasgow team has still come in 6th after dealing with such a serious incident early in the race. This demonstrates their tenacity and resolve, and we are all very proud of how they have coped in the circumstances.”
Upon arrival in Fremantle, the Glasgow team was welcomed with the ubiquitous Aussie barbeque and much-awaited cold beers. Sporting festive Santa hats, the Scottish team posed for photographs before meeting up with friends, family and fellow crew after their three-week race. “The last 24 hours have been tough but we’ve got a great festive spirit onboard,” Hannah said.
Durban 2010 and Beyond won Race 4 into Fremantle on Saturday, crossing the line at 1932 local (1032 GMT) provisionally propelling the South African team to the top of the leader board. Prior to Race 4 Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper had a half-point lead over second-placed Liverpool 08. Full results will be published after the final boat has arrived and all declarations have been received.
The crew of Glasgow: Scotland with style will spend the next couple of days cleaning and carrying out maintenance on the boat, which will be berthed at Fremantle Sailing Club for the duration of the stopover. During this time the entire fleet will be lifted for a routine service and inspection of their hulls, keels, propellers and rudders.
Hannah and her crew are now looking forward to spending Christmas and New Year in the Western Australian sunshine. The Western Australian Tourism Minister Sheila McHale welcomed the skippers and crews to Western Australia for the two-week festive season stopover. “I know all Western Australians will join me in extending a warm welcome to the 200 international crew members, their families and friends,” Ms McHale said. “I can only be in awe at the skills and tenacity required to take part in such an amazing ten month adventure.”
The Race 5 restart of Clipper 07-08 will take place at 1400 local time (0500 GMT) on New Year’s Day 2008. An exciting race start course through Fremantle’s Inner Harbour and along Perth’s city beaches will make it a wonderful spectator event and promises to attract thousands of people down to watch as the ten teams continue on their 35,000-mile race around the world.
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