Valentine’s Day victory for New York - Race News
Valentine’s Day victory for New York
14 February 2008
New York claimed a Valentine’s Day victory by crossing the finish line at the East China Sea Gate at 0348 local time on 14 February 2008 (1948 GMT, 13 February 2008). This is the third victory so far for the US team in Clipper 07-08 and the provisional result catapults them towards the top of the leaderboard and puts them in serious contention for an overall podium position.
On crossing the finish line New York’s skipper Duggie Gillespie said: “We’re very relieved to have crossed the line in first place. It has been physically hard race for us all and the crew have learned and experienced conditions I don’t think many will want to see again. We persevered throughout and I’m really pleased for the crew of New York that we have won this different but very tough leg.”
Having battled hard for the final podium positions Durban 2010 and Beyond just managed to sneak ahead of Glasgow:Scotland with style Clipper and, providing there are no protests the South African team will hold onto their overall position at the top of the leaderboard. Skipper of Durban 2010 and Beyond, Ricky Chalmers, expressed his relief at the end of the race and praised his crew on their efforts: “We are delighted with our podium position, but I am much happier with the fact that we have managed to sail this very difficult race and come out at the finish with no injuries to the crew, although I have been reminded that Liz’s bruises do actually matter! We have had a few breakages, mainly to ropes - 5 Yankee sheets, one Staysail halyard and a Reef 2 line. But, on the whole, it is to be expected on a tough upwind leg like the one we’ve have just had. All the sails and the boat itself are still in good shape and the way in which the team has adapted and coped with the difficult conditions has been magnificent.”
Due to the gruelling nature of the race from Singapore in relentless headwinds, the fleet has made slower than expected progress to the finish in Qingdao. At a meeting yesterday the Race Committee, using provisions provided within the Clipper sailing instructions and the International Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS), made a decision to shorten the course.
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.”
Each of the teams were 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. Finishing order has been calculated based on the elapsed time of the race when a boat crosses the pre-determined gate or on the distance to this shortened finish line, whichever is appropriate. With New York being the only boat to cross the finish line prior to the 0000 GMT deadline the remaining team positions were calcuated on their DTF’s 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.
Current ETA’s of the boats are as follows:
New York :1400 local time Friday 15 February
Durban 2010 and Beyond and Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper - 1700hrs local time Friday 15 February
Hull & Humber, Jamaica and westernaustralia2011.com - 0900hrs local time Saturday 16 February
Nova Scotia, Liverpool 08 & Uniquely Singapore - afternoon local time Saturday 16 February
Qingdao - morning Sunday 17 February
The security at the Olympic Marina is very tight. For leg 5 crew that are joining and any friends and family that are visiting the boats in Qingdao, security passes and entry tickets can now be obtained via the Clipper Race Office. Passes and tickets can be picked up from the Haiqing Hotel in Qingdao. Please ring the Race Secretary, Lizzie Nicholas, on UK mobile +447891062210, Chinese mobile +8615038994882 or email to make arrangements to collect. Please note that Lizzie is in Qingdao where the time difference is GMT +8 hours.
1. Balazs, Budapest, Hungary 14 February 2008
Well done Duggie!
Have a nice relaxing stay in Qingdao New York!
Keep on pushing hard!
2. Shane Leavy, Freo, Australia 14 February 2008
Congrats New York, and all the crews especially on the Big Blue Boat!! Tough leg by all accounts. Looked very exciting but the weather is definitely getting too chilly for me. (37C in Perth today).Best of luck with leg 5. Cant wait to see you all again in Santa Cruz. Shane (Broach Boy Leg 1)
3. Dipxy, Dumfriesshire 14 February 2008
Well done the Black Pearl ... you’ve got the podium position after a well fought out struggle. Congratulations you’ve earned a well deserved R&R;. Enjoy, for some it’ll be an opportunity to re-group and prepare for the next leg and for some a journey home. Aaaahhhhhh. Whatever you’re all heros.
Thanks for the memory
Aye yours
xx
4. gordon clark, uk 14 February 2008
Well done to all the teams for a great race and fantastic entertainment ( for an armchair sailor that is). Could not have been more exciting. If my reading of the finishing line-up is correct as well as my arithmetic it just may be that has extended their overall race lead. Enjoy the upcoming hospitality and a well deserved chance to recover and get dry and warm.
5. Roy Stevens, Lytham St Annes 14 February 2008
WELL DONE ALL THE BOATS.ENJOY YOUR WELL EARNED REST.
ROY
6. Rick&Liz;, Solihull 14 February 2008
Fantastic news to wake up to Durban - well done to all esp JG xx
7. James & Denise Archbold, Dublin Ireland 14 February 2008
Well done New York Skipper and all the crew - a very tough one.
8. James Etherington, Surrey UK 14 February 2008
Well done Duggie and all the New York crew. Enjoy your break, and prepare for the next leg!
James, Surrey (ex SOS)
9. Sarah, Crowthorne 14 February 2008
Well done the Black Pearl! Back on the podium, where you belong.
10. Dee & Nick Sawyer, Aberaeron, West Wales 14 February 2008
Well done Glasgow !!! On that podium again, just where we like to see you!
AND ... still at the right end of the overall leader board. Enjoy the next rest.
Love to Dafs from us all here.
Dee & Nick
11. Kate Gray, Solihull 14 February 2008
Many congratulations to all the crews. A great race. Another podium place for Durban - fantastic. Enjoy the celebrations as you sail into the Olympic harbour- wow what an achievement. x
12. Jo, London 14 February 2008
Excellent work New York!
A team of All Stars - well done, congratulations and much love - Jo xxxxxxx
13. Mo, Morpeth, Northumberland 14 February 2008
A leg of two halves! So different but you won them both NY! Brilliant effort and brilliant skipper. Congratulations to all the crews for getting through this, you’re all made of stern
stuff and you’re amazing. R and R for everyone, and the boats, in Qingdao. Love Mo
14. michael davison, england 14 February 2008
A massive well done to all on board new york,fantastic race to keep tabs on...well done sarah,missing you loads girl,well done..
michael..xxxx
15. Doug Brown, Dumfries, Scotland. 14 February 2008
Well done Duggie and Crew of New York. Fantastic news on your latest win. At least the worsening conditions would have put an end to ‘Breekless helming’. Still trying to get that image out of my mind though! All the best.
16. Sue Mould, Leeds Yorkshire 14 February 2008
Relieved to see all boats have finished this gruelling race safely - although no doubt with some damage! What an exciting race with many changes in leader - well done all crews and especially Ull and Umber - you did brilliantly Danny and all crew.
Enjoy that cold beer in Qingdao!
Mrs Stroppy
17. Catheirne Muggeridge, London 14 February 2008
Well Done Glasgow - fantastic podium finsh! Enjoy your last day of leg 5
Catherine Muggeridge
18. Lorna & Jon Darke, Barry, Vale of Glamorgan 14 February 2008
Hannah and crew of the Black Pearl - WELL DONE!! Obviously a very hard race all round but you still managed to get that podium position! Hope there’s not too much damage to boat or crew - enjoy the soft beds and hot showers in Qingdao, (and perhaps some cold beers!) and then its playtime again! In the meantime CONGRATULATIONS GLASGOW!!! What a close nailbiting race.
Look after yourselves,
Lorna & Jon
19. Carol Oates, LaTrobe Valley, Victoria, Australia 14 February 2008
Congratulations to the New York Crew, but praise also to the crews on all the other boats, you have all given of your best and must now be looking forward to that well deserved R & R in Qingdao. Much love to all the Hull and Humber Crew, great effort from some fantastic people. sorry that I won’t be in port to greet you home - too cold for me, (what a wimp)!!!! BIG BIG BIG hugs and xxxxes for my jolly sailor, Walt, happy Valentine’s Day, thank you for the card. See you in Brisbane on the 21st, Carol, xx
20. Gordon Lawson, Edinburgh 14 February 2008
Congratulations Hannah and all of the Glasgow crew.It has sounded a very tough leg for all involved.You have done extremely well to finish in the top three again.I hope you have a great rest in Qingdao, you all thoroughly deserve it.
Slainte,
Gordon
21. Terry Hughes, London 14 February 2008
Well done all. Very exciting race with such close racing in such difficult conditions. It must be great to have a yacht on the level again. Enjoy your well earned rest. Mark, glad to see you’ve kept your crew happy and smiling through it all. Good luck for the next leg. Terry
22. Susie Jackson, London 14 February 2008
Congratulations to all the teams for again giving us another brilliant race to follow whilst facing such extreme conditions! An extra big congratulations to New York of course for another well deserved win! Can’t wait to hear all those seafaring tales!
23. Neil Farrell, Liverpool 14 February 2008
Congrat’s New York on your good tough win. My supported team Liverpool......... a disappointing leg, hoping for better things on the next leg.
Well done to all the teams on a really hard fought leg.
24. Judith, Surrey 14 February 2008
New York, you are fantastic. It’s obviously been a very tough race and the result just shows what a brilliant team you are. Well done.
Judith xxx
25. roger brunton, brights grove canada 14 February 2008
well done black pearl! hope you are all well, enjoy your well earned rest. robin enjoy your time with ken and margaret
love roger and chris
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