Race 10 re-start on hold as thick fog causes unsafe sailing conditions for fleet

The thick fog that caused Race 10 from Qingdao to San Francisco to be ceased yesterday shortly after it started, has gotten worse overnight with visibility currently down to just one boat length (70 foot).

Team Garmin skipper, Jan Ridd knows the course well having also skippered in the Clipper 2009-10 Race and explains the conditions the fleet are currently facing this morning: “With visibility below 50 metres and an enormous amount of traffic, both cargo vessels and fishing fleets, we have spent most of the morning carefully navigating our way through the traffic. 

“We could not have started a yacht race in these conditions, and also it would have been unsafe to bunch all the yachts together for a start with the density of traffic. We are nearly through the worst of the traffic but the visibility is worsening.” 

Race Director Justin Taylor says: “I anticipate that when the wind shifts to more from the west that it will improve and they can begin the Le Mans start. This is looking more likely to be first light tomorrow.”

Race 10 will see the Clipper Race fleet make their first Pacific Ocean crossing, where big seas and downwind conditions are expected to challenge the teams as they cover the 5,800 miles to the California Coast and the highly anticipated San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge finish line.

PSP Logistics will start Race 10 on Tuesday 18 March to provide more time for adequate yacht and crew preparation after its delayed arrival into Qingdao.

Stay tuned to the website and our Twitter feed for further updates to the Race 10 re-start.