New York’s decision to leave tacking from port onto starboard slightly longer than the other teams, as the low pressure system moved across the fleet overnight, has paid off and the US team has managed to extend their slender lead by a few miles. The decision to delay the tack could prove to be the turning point in this extremely close race.
Uniquely Singapore is currently cashing in on skipper Mark Preedy’s decision to keep south of the great circle route, as the boat is now able to sail at a faster angle to the wind. Despite the fact that going off on a flyer like this worked for Uniquely Singapore in Race 8 from Hawaii to Santa Cruz, it is rare that this sort of tactic pays off and it may be a case of too little too late for the Singaporean team.
Jamaica continues to have a good fight at the front of the fleet and is showing some of the speed that the team is capable of but has struggled to find on some of the earlier races.
Skipper of Jamaica, Simon Bradley, says, “A bit of wake up call yesterday evening as the wind built and built until we had just under a steady 30 knots of true wind. Time to change headsails and reef! The sea was rather short and steep as well which didn’t help matters and it certainly made cooking in the galley interesting, it’s amazing the places that spaghetti will stick to! One Love!”
With the winds not settling down for the next couple of days as the Atlantic high begins to dominate it will all be down to boat speed rather than tactics. The wind is forecasted to come from behind the fleet which will allow lots of spinnaker work before the next low pressure system starts to take effect.
Joff Bailey, Race Director, says, “If the positions stay as they are now Hull & Humber will be trailing New York by four and a half points coming into the final race, not an insurmountable task, but it will be hard for skipper Danny Watson and his crew to break away from New York to get a big enough lead.”
Friends and family may have noticed an absence of emails from crew during the last two days. The crew email system has been out of action but the operators assure us it will be working again by Monday evening.
Each of the Clipper teams are lead by an experienced professional skipper and Sir Robin recently launched his search for skippers for the 09-10 Clipper Race. If you have what it takes to lead a team of novice sailors on a ten-month race around the world then please contact him on sirrobinknoxjohnston@clipper-ventures.com
Berths are now available for the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race. Those interested in participating in the world’s only round the yacht race for non-professionals can find out more by contacting Clipper Ventures on +44 (0) 2392 526000 or email oceanracer@clipperroundtheworld.com.
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