Glasgow maintains their lead
11:00, 18 March 2003
by Tim Hedges

After a night of mixed fortunes this morning's positions prove that yacht racing can sometimes seem cruelly Darwinian. At the front of the fleet Glasgow had the highest run and have managed to put over 20 miles between themselves and 2nd placed Jersey, whilst New York languished at the back spending several hours drifting in the lee of the island of Tanega Shima. Although not over yet it is hard to see how they can now make up these lost miles, and with 70 miles between them and seventh place they will have to push really hard to avoid another single point position. That said their current position well to the south of the main body of the fleet will give them a marginally different angle of attack for the approach to the finish which could prove advantageous if conditions change.

The same can also be said for Cape Town who have taken the other option and are now slightly to the north of their competitors. The forecast shows the wind remaining force 3 to 4 from the north north east for the rest of the day which should give them easy reaching conditions and may allow Cape Town a slightly faster wind angle if they choose to bear away a little with their spinnaker, and with Hong Kong only just over 6 miles ahead a move up the position table is certainly within their grasp. Bristol, Liverpool, Jersey and London remain close with only 12 miles between them, Bristol just stealing a place from Liverpool in the last 12 hours.

But for the moment Glasgow seem secure. Having suffered in the past from being the bridesmaid but never the bride, Skipper Rupert Parkhouse and his crew will be desperately hoping to maintain this lead till the finish and will be balancing their desire to push the boat with the need to prevent damage. They have already had one spinnaker blow out on this race, and another could cost them dearly.

Tim Hedges

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