Image: Big splash on Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam
Competition among the Clipper Fleet heating up and it’s not just front runners who are jostling on the race track.
Over the last 24 hours, Zhuhai has been chasing down WTC Logistics who keep popping up and then disappearing on the former’s AIS screen.
First Mate of WTC Logistics, Dan Jones, has been enjoying the competition, enjoying a spot of gentle sledging towards his rivals. He says: “After our brief encounter with Zhuhai yesterday, we hoisted our Code 2 and shot away, with no returning kite hoist from Zhuhai. We assumed First Mate James Finney had spotted something shiny, becoming distracted and failed to notice us driving away from him.
“Jokes aside, they subsequently had sped up by the next position update, causing us to continue to push the edge of our Code 2's wind rating. 'We decided to drop the Code 2 at lunch time as the swell started to build and hoist our Code 3 (a slightly smaller large white thing) which kept us powering along at 12-18 knots. A great days spinnakering...away from Zhuhai.”
Qingdao has gone into Stealth Mode, hoping to secure an advantage from first placed team, Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam, who won’t be able to track its every move for 24 hours. Both teams have been making fast progress towards Australia, with their current ETA’s into Fremantle showing as Saturday morning (7 December).
Just four days to go until the first teams complete Leg 3
Currently battling big waves and Southern Ocean surfs, the Clipper Race Onboard Reporter on Dare To Lead has recorded a snapshot of the conditions the team are facing.
The Southern Ocean is famed for its big waves, low temperatures and surfing conditions and in the Clipper 2019-20 Race it has not dissapointed. Dare To Lead, captured here by on board reporter Maeva Bardy, and the rest of the Clipper Race fleet reached the infamaous Roaring Fourties in the Race 4: the Marlow Southern Ocean Sleigh Ride providing some of the most extreme and exhilarating sailing in the world. Racing on board Dare To Lead, which rather then representing a particular organisation or geographical location, flies the flag of teamwork, determination, innovation, and leadership, are 19 crew members hailing from eight nations including, New Zealand, Jordan, Switzerland and Austria. With an accountant, doctor and even a safari field guide on board crew come from all walks of life and have varying levels of previous sailing experience. These individuals come together to achieve a challenge of a lifetime and are currently crossing one of the toughest oceans on the planet. Have you got what it takes? Applications are now open for the Clipper 2021-22 Race, apply here: https://www.clipperroundtheworld.com/...
Just four days to go until the first teams complete Leg 3