Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper finishes fourth in Race 3 - Media

Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper finishes fourth in Race 3

16 November 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
16 November 2007
0630 GMT Durban, South Africa

Just one minute and 17 seconds separated Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper and Liverpool 08 who narrowly beat them across the finishing line at the end of Race 3 from Salvador, Brazil, to Durban, South Africa.

Liverpool 08 was first across at 02.50.43 GMT (04.50.43 local time) with Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper nipping at their heels at 02.52 GMT (04.52 local time), bringing to an end a thrilling battle between the two boats that has been playing out for the last three days.

Although the Scottish entry crossed the line in fourth place, they finished within four hours of Hull & Humber who were awarded a four-hour penalty for not returning to where they started motoring during the medivac early in Race 3.This means Liverpool 08 will take the points for second place and Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper will take the points for third place, pushing Hull & Humber into fourth.

The results are provisional until all the skippers have made declarations, any protests have been lodged and the Race Committee has convened to ratify the results.

As she tucked into breakfast at the Royal Natal Yacht Club, Hannah Jenner, skipper of Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper said, “I’m completely and utterly amazed. The entire race has been the most crazy experience and the last three days has been off the wall. You couldn’t have written the finale to this race if you tried. It’s been exciting, very very exciting, but very very hard work. I haven’t slept in three days and the crew are exhausted but we’ve loved every minute of it.”

Line honours went to Hull & Humber, who crossed the line at 23.08GMT (01.08 local time) on Thursday 15 November, followed six minutes later by New York at 23.14 GMT (01.14 local time) who will take the points for first place.

New York’s victory marks a spectacular turnaround in fortunes, the team having finished eighth and ninth in the first two races of Clipper 07-08, and is testament to the skill and leadership of skipper Duggie Gillespie, who took over at the helm of New York in Salvador. With only a few days to get to know his team and get the yacht ready for this race he has pulled them together into a winning combination.

Duggie says, “I’m really chuffed, and not for me, for the team. We had a few things to sort out and we did that and we progressed and we learned. You should have seen the last three days – it was amazing. It ramped up in confidence and abilities racing against another boat.”

The teams received a traditional Zulu welcome in the race village in Durban Marina and they and the rest of the crews from the ten international city-sponsored yachts will be enjoying all the hospitality the Durban, Africa’s Zulu Kingdom’s bewitching seaside playground, has to offer.

His Worship the Mayor of Durban, Councillor Obed Mlaba, says, “On behalf of the City of Durban, South Africa, I offer a warm welcome to the crew, race organisers, accompanying officials, friends and family of the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race. We are privileged to be participating in this global event and are proud to be represented by our boat and crew of Durban 2010 and Beyond.

“It is fitting that the fleet should arrive in Durban during the period that we are hosting the FIFA delegation for the 2010 Soccer World Cup Preliminary Draw. Both events play vital roles in strengthening Durban’s position as ‘Africa’s premier sporting and events capital’. We have prepared the marina for your arrival and I have been assured that the city has catered for your every need while you are in our city. May you enjoy Durban’s hospitality, warm weather, cuisine and culture during your ten-day stopover.

“We wish you fair winds and a bon voyage when you leave our shores on 25 November on your way to Fremantle, Australia.”

This is the sixth edition of the Clipper Race and the fourth time the fleet has visited Durban.

The rest of the yachts are still racing towards Durban, Qingdao and the home favourite, Durban 2010 and Beyond locked in their own private battle for fifth and sixth place, with westernaustralia2011.com only a few nautical miles behind the South Africans.

By Saturday the entire Clipper fleet, including the remaining yachts, Uniquely Singapore, Jamaica and Nova Scotia is expected to be moored in Durban Marina where they are being hosted by Point Yacht Club and Royal Natal Yacht Club.

Berths for the next race, Clipper 09-10 are now available. For more information on applying to become a crew member, contact Clipper Ventures on +44 (0)2392 526000 or email David Cusworth, Clipper Crew Recruitment Manager at

ENDS/

NOTES TO EDITORS

The Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race is 35,000 miles long and will finish in Liverpool on 5 July 2008 as part of the city’s European Capital of Culture 2008 celebrations.

Clipper 07-08 route:
Liverpool - La Rochelle – Salvador da Bahia – Durban – Fremantle – Singapore –
Qingdao – Hawaii – Santa Cruz – Panama – Jamaica – New York – Nova Scotia – Cork – Liverpool

High-resolution images of the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race are available for free media use at: http://www.w-w-i.com/clipper_0708_race/

For media information, interviews or photographs, please contact:

Heather Ewing, Communications Coordinator: Mobile in Durban: +27 (0) 7977 54639
Email:

or

Zoe Williamson, Communications Coordinator Tel: +44 (0) 2392 526000
Mobile in UK: +44 (0) 7793 417751 Email:

For further information about Clipper 07-08 and to register for daily media updates log on to: http://www.clipperroundtheworld.com