Race Director's Report
Race 7: Airlie Beach, Whitsundays to Da Nang, Vietnam

Abell Point Marina is located inside the Great Barrier Reef, so I opted to have the fleet motor-sail through the Hydrographer’s Passage which passes through the reef and out into the Coral Sea. This gave the crews a chance to take in this wonderful part of the world at a leisurely pace. Once into the Coral Sea the fleet performed a Le Mans start and then they were away North-Easterly toward the Solomon Sea.

They set a cracking pace arriving just 4 days later into the Solomon Sea and leaving Papua New Guinea to port. The majority of the fleet continued this fast pace and negotiated the Doldrums and up into the Pacific Ocean in a further 4 days, much faster that the 9 days it took in the Clipper 2013-14 Race. Once clear of the Doldrums they headed a few more miles north until they hooked into the North-Easterly trade winds which allowed them to ease their sheets and bear away to the next waypoint to the north of the Philippines.

It became clear that due to the very fast pace of the race so far and also the quick negotiation of the Doldrums that the race would need to be extended. This was to ensure that the fleet would not arrive before the start of the arrival window on the 17 February. Along with Tet New Year holiday and visa issues for the crew, an early arrival just wasn’t a viable option. This was an extremely difficult decision to make, but made it must be, so when the fleet were still far enough from the turning waypoint to the north of the Philippines, so as to not to adversely affect their tactics the course was extended. This meant that the fleet would penetrate much further south into the sea between the Philippines and Vietnam. In effect adding another 2000nM to the length of the race.

Originally planned for 32 days, this race would now be 30 days long but significantly longer in terms of mileage. As the fleet approached the turning waypoint they were still quite tightly bunched. The early leader, Derry~Londonderry~Doire continuing to hold on to that first place. They were being chased down by Garmin, GREAT Britain and Qingdao all the way and I know just how tiring and taxing that can be on the crews, not just of the chasers but also the hunted who are always looking over their shoulder and awaiting the next fleet position update to be emailed to them.

The conditions were tough, with the North East Monsoon blowing hard and propelling the fleet south at a breakneck speed. But once the leaders were around the leeward or southerly most mark of the course they had a difficult beat back to windward for 500 miles. As the wind softened and to ensure an arrival of the entire fleet on the 17^th the decision was made to shorten the course and to also impose a time limit on the race. As it transpired none of the fleet would actually cross the new finish line within the time limit and it became necessary to measure their distance from the centre of the finish line to determine their finish positions.

Derry~Londonderry~Doire held on to score their first bullet of the Clipper 2015-16 Race. Garmin and GREAT Britain putting in a magnificent effort, pushing them all the way. In fact the whole fleet put in a great performance in very testing conditions ranging from strong winds, confused seas, hot temperatures and high humidity to sailing extra miles. Well done and congratulations to all the teams.