Fortune doesn't always favour the brave.
14:00, 31 January 2003
by Tim Hedges

Sometimes gambles pay off, sometimes they don't. It was a brave move by Jersey to try and cut through between the islands but sadly for them it didn't work. Whilst trying to cut a corner they got caught in the lee of Maui and spent several hours drifting at a mere two knots whilst both Bristol and Liverpool went on to take first and second respectively. Having led for most of the race they eventually came in in third a mere 12 minutes behind Adam Kyffin and the Liverpool crew.

A tired but jubilant Bristol crew were met on the dock by Race Director Colin de Mowbray and the staff of the Ko Olina Marina. Skipper Richard Butler pointed out that out of a three week race they had only led for 6 hours, but that they were the right 6 hours. This is the first win for the Bristol crew and will give them a useful boost in the overall positions. It is also the first podium finish for Liverpool and is well deserved after they slowly and steadily sailed their way up through the fleet. It is interesting to note that so far after 5 races we have seen 4 separate winners, and with London likely to come in 4th in a few hours time we should see a few changes on the overall position table.

As I write this from a bitterly cold Southampton Colin has been briefing the three crews on the delights of the Ko Olina Marina complex. It is three o'clock in the morning and the wind is picking up but shorts are still very much in evidence as they sample their first taste of Hawaiian hospitality. In fact they have timed it pretty well as the weather of the last few days, unseasonable south-westerly winds and rain, has now cleared. The temperature has increased and the north easterly trades are back in evidence. This is good news to the boats still out there as they should now have much faster run in.

The Hong Kong crew have managed to hold on to their slender lead over Glasgow, and when I spoke to skipper Justin Taylor earlier today they were still 3 miles ahead having successfully gybed in front of Glasgow when both boats turned towards the north of Maui after the 0400 radio report. As if having Rupert Parkhouse and the Glasgow crew breathing down their necks wasn't enough incentive to spur on the Hong Kong crew, skipper Justin is also being met by his wife and baby son! Both boats should be safely in by tomorrow evening and we should see Cape Town and New York speed up as well as they take advantage of the freshening trades.

Source: Clipper 2002/2003 Round The World Race Official Site