Nautical Tennis
06:00, 28 February 2003
by Nic Gray

In what is starting to resemble a tennis game the boats in the North have the advantage again this morning. All the Northern pack managed between 80 and 90 miles in the last 12 hours whilst poor old Bristol only sailed 33.5 miles and Jersey managing slightly more with 45 miles in 12 hours. This will not come as a surprise to anyone who read the weather forecast on the Jersey Clipper website. It correctly predicts that today will be a bad day with light winds, yet Saturday should see the weather favour the Southern boats again. However as Yokohama draws ever closer will there be enough time for the Southern boats to overtake London and Northern pack.

A psychological milestone is fast approaching for the crews as they race towards Yokohama. On these long ocean races, seeing the DTG (Distance to go) indicator on the GPS fall below 1000 is a fantastic feeling. For the first time the end seems in sight, and the goal of finishing achievable. Self motivation to push the boat that little bit harder (and thus faster) is easier, and the twice daily radio scheds take on renewed importance as the crews realise time is running out to catch those in front. Conversation on board turns into what everyone is going to do at the new destination, and when off watch everyone is trying to read the guidebook to find the hotel with the softest biggest beds and the cheapest bar with the latest opening hours.

Duty skipper Sam Fuller on board New York reports that she is currently beating into 30-knot headwinds, and all on board are dreaming of hot Saki and heated toilet seats! Meanwhile on board Bristol Richard Butler reports a warm but frustratingly slow day, and they have cottage pie to eat tonight whilst waiting for the wind to do what its supposed to do so they can win!

Colin de Mowbray wrote yesterday “Where is the smart money going?” I also have no idea, but the not so smart money (mine) is firmly with the Northern pack. Although now I’ve put the “commentators curse” on them I apologise to the crews and supporters of London and those around them!

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