The Humber, UK – La Rochelle – Rio de Janeiro
The first race will be highly tactical with constantly changing winds and tides
Leaving the confines of the Humber estuary in the north east of England the fleet will race south down the North Sea, through the Dover Straits and into the English Channel. There they will have to negotiate some of the busiest shipping lanes in the world en route to France and the first stopover in the historic west coast port of La Rochelle. The first race will be highly tactical with constantly changing winds and tides forcing many sail changes. Those teams that make the best use of the tidal gates may see themselves making great gains on their competitors.
After a few days in La Rochelle the yachts will begin their first ocean crossing as they set out through the notorious Bay of Biscay and into the Atlantic Ocean. During the race to Rio de Janeiro you will achieve another in the list of the many milestones you will pass during Clipper 09-10: the first Equatorial crossing.
The two main obstacles in the way of the fleet during the race to Rio are the Canary Islands – do you take the shortest route through the middle and risk being becalmed in the wind shadow of the archipelago, or go round the outside? – and the Inter-Tropical Conversion Zone, better known as The Doldrums.
This area of light and shifting winds provokes frustration at the slow progress of the yachts and, combined with the searing heat which causes tempers to fray, is often seen as a greater challenge for crews than sailing in strong winds. Sail trim is the key: apply yourself to perfecting the art and you will reap the rewards.