 The crew of Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper have claimed their fourth podium position of their Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race campaign, finishing in third place at the end of Race 6 from Singapore to Qingdao, China. Their consistency in achieving top results makes the Scottish team one of the most successful of the Clipper 07-08 Race to date and keeps them in overall third place. Victory in Race 6 went to New York who claimed their third win of the series, making them a fierce contender for an overall podium position.
Following a hard-fought battle for second place with their closest rivals Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper lost out to Durban 2010 and Beyond, finishing just 5.3 nautical miles behind the South African team. Skipper of the Glasgow entry, Hannah Jenner, expressed her relief at finishing the race and reflected on harsh racing conditions they had faced.
“What a relief and also big excitement to have made it through the rough stuff and come out the other side relatively unscathed!” she said. “This has certainly proved to be the toughest leg so far, pushing both boat and crew harder than ever before. Everything onboard is wet and freezing but the crew have shown great resolve in getting on with it and fighting to the end. We have all enjoyed this race immensely.”
Due to the particularly gruelling nature of the race from Singapore, with relentless headwinds and rough seas, the fleet made slower than expected progress to the finish in Qingdao. The conditions have taken their toll on both the boats and the crews, who have also had to cope with extreme temperatures ranging from tropical heat to freezing cold and bitter wind chill. Based on reports coming back from the boats a decision was made yesterday by the Race Committee to shorten the course, using provisions provided within the Clipper sailing instructions and the International Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS).
Clipper Race Committee Chairman, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston said: “The main consideration in this decision is to allow sufficient time for the skippers and crews to carry out routine in-port maintenance in preparation for the next race to Hawaii. The Race Committee believes that this is the best course of action to ensure the overall safety and well-being of the fleet.”
All of the teams were instructed to finish either when they passed through the ‘East China Sea Gate’, approximately 230 nautical miles south-east of the original finish line, or at 0000GMT on 14 February, whichever was sooner. The finishing order for Race 6 is therefore calculated based on the elapsed time of the race when a boat crossed the pre-determined gate or on the distance to this shortened finish line, whichever is appropriate.
As New York was the only boat to cross the finish line prior to the 0000 GMT deadline the remaining team positions were calculated on their Distances to Finish (DTF) at that time. Subject to any protests when the fleet arrive in Qingdao, the provisional results for Race 6 are as follows:
1 - New York
Finished at East China Sea Gate at 1948 GMT, 13 February 2008
2 - Durban 2010 and Beyond
Position at 0000 GMT: 32 33.280N 123 29.841E
Distance to Finish (DTF) = 5.8 nautical miles
3 - Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper
Position at 0000 GMT: 32 22.810N 123 16.180E
DTF = 11.1 nautical miles
4 - Hull & Humber
Position at 0000 GMT: 31 19.804N 123 07.548E
DTF = 67.2 nautical miles
5 – Jamaica
Position at 0000 GMT: 31 18.584N 123 09.078E
DTF = 68.7 nautical miles
6 - westernaustralia2011.com
Position at 0000 GMT: 31 36.208N 124 06.500E
DTF = 70.2 nautical miles
7 - Uniquely Singapore
Position at 0000 GMT: 31 07.490N 123 25.700E
DTF = 85.1 nautical miles
8 - Liverpool 08
Position at 0000 GMT: 31 20.500N 125 27.333E
DTF = 109.3 nautical miles
9 - Nova Scotia
Position at 0000 GMT: 30 42.620N 124 36.240E
DTF = 130.2 nautical miles
10 - Qingdao
Position at 0000 GMT: 28 02.330N 123 29.490E
DTF = 288.9 nautical miles
The fleet is now motor-sailing to the brand new Olympic Sailing Marina in Qingdao, which will host the sailing events of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. The first boats are expected to arrive during the day tomorrow, 15 February, and it is hoped that the final boat will be alongside by the end of the day on Sunday 17 February.
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