Qingdao leads fleet into Bay of Biscay - Race News

Qingdao leads fleet into Bay of Biscay

23 September 2007

Qingdao was first across the line this afternoon at the start of Race 2 to Salvador, which began at 1600 local time (1400 GMT) in calm conditions off the coast of La Rochelle. In the light westerly breeze of 7-10 knots Liverpool 08 was second across the line with westernaustralia2011.com just sneaking ahead of Uniquely Singapore in third, after a jostle for position which saw the Australians sneak ahead by just a few metres.  New York crossed next followed by Durban 2010 and Beyond, Nova Scotia, Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper and Jamaica with the winners of race one, Hull & Humber, last over the line at the start of the 4,200-mile race to Salvador.

At the windward mark the positions were as follows:
Qingdao
westernaustralia2011.com
Liverpool 08
Uniquely Singapore
New York
Hull & Humber
Nova Scotia
Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper
Durban 2010 and Beyond
Jamaica

Qingdao tacked at the mark and lost boat speed allowing westernaustralia2011.com to sail over the top of her but the Chinese boat soon regained the lead en route to the leeward mark.

With the media helicopter buzzing in the clear blue skies overhead, the teams were last seen heading off towards the sunset. It will take the fleet just over three weeks to reach Salvador, where they are expected to arrive around 16 October. By then the warm hospitality they have received in France will feel like a distant memory and they will be looking forward to the Brazilian welcome of fresh fruit and cocktails.

The calm conditions as the fleet headed west were a contrast to the drama that took place just before race start with a dentist crew member on board Jamaica transferring to westernaustralia2011.com to fix a lost filling. The maintenance team were also onboard Jamaica until the last moment making repairs to their wind instruments.

Race Director Joff Bailey said ‘It will be a big confidence boost for the crews of Qingdao and westernaustralia2011.com leading the fleet out into the Bay of Biscay. With over 4,000 miles ahead of them and strong winds forecast for tonight, everything is still to play for and tomorrow’s race viewer could well show a very different picture.’

In Race 2 the ten teams will cross the Equator into the southern hemisphere and traverse the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone, commonly known as the Doldrums, where they will need to remain focused on keeping the boats moving in light airs before they get back into the trade winds on their way down to Salvador.

The 4,200-nautical mile race will be the first ocean crossing for the majority of crew members onboard who have all put their everyday lives on hold to take part in Clipper 07-08. The 400 crew taking part come from 27 different countries and range from bus drivers and lawyers to students and housewives.

The last 24 hours has seen a frenzy of activity on the pontoons at the Bassin des Chalutiers in the heart of La Rochelle as the crews prepared for the race restart. With skippers holding final briefings for their teams, last minute repairs and adjustments carried out, laundry washed and fans installed above bunks in preparation for the heat as they race south, they were all ready to slip at 1330 local time (1130 GMT) on Sunday.

As well as onboard activity, crews have been enjoying the wonderful hospitality on offer in La Rochelle, with its historic streets and buildings, and restaurants serving excellent seafood. This is the first time the Clipper Race has visited France and the reception has been extremely warm and friendly. Last night the crews enjoyed a barbecue at the Société des Régates Rochelaise.

Yesterday crew members 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 Finisterre, 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.”

Joff warned the crews are likely to face one of the perils of ocean racing during the race ahead. ‘One word of advice – watch out for flying fish. They leap out of the water and hit you in the face!”

Ellen MacArthur Trust ambassador Dan Monk, is sailing onboard Jamaica on Race 2 to Salvador after joining the Liverpool 08 team on Race 1 and finishing in 2nd place. Dan is taking part in Clipper 07-08 realise a long-held ambition to sail around the world and to build up his experience ahead of a solo sailing campaign. After suffering from childhood leukaemia, Dan is raising money for the Ellen MacArthur Trust, helping children in recovery from cancer and leukaemia through sailing and children’s charity, the Philip Green Memorial Trust. To find out more or donate online log on to http://www.justgiving.com/danmonkclipper0708