Rolling but no Rocking
07:07, 27 March 2003
by Colin de Mowbray

The racing goes on but it is almost in slow motion now. The Clipper yachts have covered little over 20 miles in the last 12 hours making the 24 hour runs as low as 60 miles. They are running down the Chinese coast like a snake, expanding at one time and then contracting depending if the wind is being kind to those in front or those at the back.

After a frustrating night in poor visibility we see that Bristol have retained their lead of 3 miles over Jersey. Their strategy is just to keep between Jersey and the next waypoint; this is not a time for self expression. London retains third place but Liverpool has edged out some space over Hong Kong and Glasgow. Although the inner edge of the course is a series of straight lines between the way points Justin Taylor, Skipper of Hong Kong, has been true to form and decided to look for better conditions further to the east and away from his playmates. Never one to follow in another man's wake, Justin has been accused by his fellow skippers of heading off to Taiwan.

New York and Cape Town are still at battle stations but at one time Sam Fuller said she ended up hove to with her spinnaker backed as a trawler on passage home ploughed close down their side without altering course one jot. The Chinese might like their fish fresh but this is ridiculous.

This is a trying time for the crews who have only had a short break in Japan since leaving Hawaii on 2 Feb, a distance well over 5,000 miles. Their thoughts are clearly now on the visit to Hong Kong and they are dying for the end of this race but they will not find it all that straight forward when they do get ashore. Although they get passed the important news items they will find a great deal has changed since the beginning of February.

First there is the Gulf war and the extent that this is taking over everyone's lives and the general concern for all those involved and for the final outcome.

Next there is the 'flu outbreak, known as SARS. There is widespread advice on this and its seriousness. It is of course a concern to everyone here and for other visitors or for those with family out in Asia. I think the advice can be summarised by saying that although there is a danger, this issue must be kept in true perspective. The WHO and UK FCO have not advised against visiting any parts of Asia but it is clearly best to heed the local guidelines. Some people now wear face masks in public places there is a general awareness of the problem, heightened by some schools shutting. The Rolling Stones have just cancelled their concert which will be a bitter blow but obviously done on advice with regard to risk of SARS being passed in crowds. It will be interesting to see if they get to Shanghai for their concert there on 1 April. Don't worry Mick, not all programmes to Shanghai work out.

It is certainly not all doom and gloom; how could it be in this colourful, vibrant and wonderful city? The crews will find they are based at one of the world's top yacht clubs, the food everywhere is the best you will get and the city is an example of efficiency. Whether it is communications, transport or anything else, things in Hong Kong work. To cap it all they will still arrive in time for the Rugby 7s and the Yacht Club has two giant screens rigged for the rugby internationals at the week end. The Clipper crews will overcome all and will enjoy their return to civilization.

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