Tough - Bloody Tough
10:35, 30 May 2003
by Colin de Mowbray

Let me take you back three weeks and place you as one of 14 crew members leaving Indonesia on a 3000 mile ocean race. Never in your life have you concentrated all your energies to one single aim like this for so long, and without one break. After continuous hard graft and countless excitements and disappointments you finally cross the finishing line in Mauritius on a dark night a mere 3 hours and 8 minutes behind the winner. A great achievement, yes, but one difficult to reconcile with your position - you are seventh out of 8! This is how Race 11 of Clipper ended with the yachts crossing the finishing line closer than many inshore races.

The first three Clippers were within 41 minutes of each other and all had held the lead during the last 96 hours. This has been yet another close and gripping Clipper race and any disappointments there may have been were hidden by the glow of satisfaction of being part of an amazing sporting marathon that has entertain thousands of followers over the last there weeks.

Crews are now swapping stories and lamenting tales of woe as they meet their friends from the other boats. The friendships and understanding between crew members has become strong and very special over the last 7 months and 22,500 miles since their start from Liverpool. During this idle chit chat, the Port Officials continue to check the paperwork while some crews start to clean and repair their boats. The routine is known and simple - get the work done and then find the beach.

The Clipper race has once again proved itself to be built around two fundamental cornerstones, namely superlative racing and a special group of people. Today I feel moved to have witnessed the successful conclusion of such a tough and memorable sporting event.

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