Drama-packed week for Clipper Race fleet with half-way global milestone close
With some very tough racing and the equivalent of three Sydney to Hobart races in as many weeks, the 12-strong racing fleet has almost completed half of the round the world ocean odyssey as it races to Brisbane.
The fleet is due into Brisbane from Wednesday morning after battling 60 knot winds, 6 metre seas, two medevacs and one yacht having to retire during Race 7 from Hobart to complete the Australian Leg.
The fleet has left behind the unpredictable and often wild conditions of the Bass Strait, and the ‘frustrating’ Australian Eastern Current (EAC) which provides challenging sailing conditions while hampering progress, to emerge into a downwind race towards Brisbane.
In the extremely tactical short race, 11 miles separates fleet leaders Derry~Londonderry~Doire, second-placed Switzerland and OneDLL in third.
Sydney to Hobart/Race 6 winners Derry~Londonderry~Doire also claimed the maximum 3 points on the Scoring Gate on day 2, with Old Pulteney claiming second place and two valuable points. OneDLL beat Switzerland by just three seconds for the final point. The final Ocean Sprint in this race is currently underway with two extra points up for grabs.
Deputy race director Mark Light said: “It has been a very eventful race so far with the medevacs, Henri Lloydmotorsailing and PSP Logistics retiring and now making best speed for Brisbane. The crews will be pleased to get out of the Bass Strait for the final time after another shaking there. The race is now a very tactical coastal one with skippers trying to find the favourable currents as opposed to the adverse ones.”
