Final preparations ahead of Race 2 start from La Rochelle - Race News

Final preparations ahead of Race 2 start from La Rochelle

22 September 2007

The last 24 hours have been a frenzy of activity on the pontoons as the crews prepare for the start of Race 2. Skippers have been holding final briefings for their teams, last minute repairs and adjustments are being undertaken, laundry washed and fans installed above bunks in preparation for the heat of the transatlantic crossing to Salvador da Bahia during which they will cross the Equator for the first time into the southern hemisphere.

As well as onboard activity, crews have been enjoying the wonderful hospitality on offer in La Rochelle, with its historic streets and buildings, fantastic restaurants serving some seriously good seafood and, of course, the bars where they can slope off to watch the matches in the Rugby World Cup.

Today crew members have also attended a mass briefing in which Race Director Joff Bailey spoke of what they can expect during the race and their arrival in Salvador. His instructions were pretty simple: “Go to Finistere, turn left and keep going for 4,200 nautical miles. You’ll see Salvador on the right.” Joff, skipper of New York Clipper in Clipper 05-06 said, “I’m a bit jealous really, in sailing terms this was one of the legs I really enjoyed in the last race. One word of advice – watch out for flying fish. They leap out of the water and hit you in the face!”

Yesterday evening Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper and their race partner Benromach hosted a reception on board. Bailey Liz Cameron and Scott Taylor, Chief Executive of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau flew out to La Rochelle to entertain guests with a dram or two of Benromach’s commemorative Latitude 53 bottling of the Speyside single malt. They then went on to join other VIP guests at the gala dinner for the Grand Pavois, one of the largest floating boat shows in the world, which is currently taking place in La Rochelle.

Today it has been the turn of Nova Scotia crew to show visitors around their home for the next ten months. The response to the race from the people of La Rochelle has been one of unbridled enthusiasm and admiration for those taking on the challenge of a lifetime. Visitors to the port have been chatting with crew and finding out more about what the experience entails. This is the first time the Clipper Race has visited France and the reception has been extremely warm and friendly.

This evening the crews are going to a barbecue at the Société des Régates Rochelaise. Members of the club in La Rochelle have been helping the Clipper team to manage the finish line, guide the yachts into the Bassin des Chalutiers and are setting the marks and running the committee boat alongside the Race Director for the start of Race 2 tomorrow. Their local knowledge has been invaluable and all their assistance greatly appreciated. We’re looking forward to a cold beer on the club house terrace overlooking the port this evening.’

Operations Director Colin de Mowbray is continuing to feel better after suffering heart problems earlier this week. His wife, Vanessa, has been with him at the hospital and he has managed to source a television to watch the rugby from the comfort of his bed. He plans to return to the UK early next week and thanks everyone for their good wishes.

Race 2 starts tomorrow, Sunday 23 September, at 1600 local time (1400 GMT) in the bay just outside La Rochelle.