Race 7 - Qingdao, China to California, USA
This is a big one and a race every sailor wants in their log book.
After a fantastic farewell from supporters, sponsors and the press in Qingdao the crews will start the longest individual race in Clipper 09-10 having to endure cold conditions during their first week back at sea. The freezing conditions in China this time of year could mean snow makes a regular appearance as the previous tropical surroundings fade like a distant memory.
Together with the possibility of snow the crews may have to deal with ice, fog and, as they did during Leg 4, local fishing boats.
As the fleet reach the first key milestone, the southern tip of Japan, tactics will soon come into play. Skippers must decide whether to take their crew the shorter but colder route by heading further north at the risk getting significantly more wind than they need, or stay slightly further south in warmer conditions, with more steady winds but risk getting becalmed.
Crossing the Pacific Ocean, the largest in the world, will challenge the crews to maintain a competitive focus as the first week blends with the second, third and fourth as they cross this mighty expanse. But don’t forget during this leg allows the crew to tick off another achievement: Crossing the International Date Line.
For some real perspective of the task at hand, look at the Pacific Ocean on a globe. You will just be able to see the edge of the Asian continent on the left and the North America land mass on the right, the rest of pure open water.
Spending approximately 35 days at sea on a 68-foot yacht will force crew to keep constant attention on their kit to prevent damage and may put pressure on crew morale and energy, all this before reaching the likely variable conditions as the Californian coast appears over the horizon.
Reaching their goal of San Francisco will be tough but will deliver a great sense of achievement once completed.