Clipper 2002/2003 Race - Still all to play for!
10:45, 16 July 2003
by Tim Hedges

The boats continue to make good progress and look set to arrive in Salvador over the course of the weekend, with the front runners due in by Friday if the current conditions remain. Duty Skipper Justin Taylor reports that on Hong Kong they have 15 knots of true wind from the south east, easily pushing them along at 8 to 9 knots. The sea is moderate and Justin describes it as "great sailing". The crews deserve this after the unsettled weather they have been used to over the last week, but there is still the odd squall about with regular sail changes still the order of the day.

Cape Town have had the highest days run, their northern position giving them a slightly better angle to the wind. They have been able to aim a few degrees higher with the wind nearer the beam (middle) of the boat, and this has given them a distinct speed advantage, much to the consternation of Bristol skipper Richard Butler who commented that if they kept it up they could well overtake him to reclaim second place. The Bristol crew are also closely following progress at the back of the fleet. Jersey's finishing position is crucial to Bristol's chances of taking the overall lead (see "Results" page for the overall points and positions).

Justin Taylor and the Hong Kong crew are also acutely aware of their overall position, needing to stay ahead of the Liverpool crew to retain their overall third. This didn't stop them from appreciating some of the more aesthetic aspects of life at sea, a bright moon and "a huge blanket of stars".

In preparation for the fleet's arrival the Clipper Road Show is once again on the move. Race Director Colin de Mowbray flew to Salvador last night, and the support team of Sarah Beaugeard and Justin Haller fly out today. The team at the nautical centre in Salvador are well practised at greeting the Clipper fleet as this is the fourth time the race has visited. It was also a stop for the Around Alone fleet on their single handed epic journey round the world. The ever efficient Daisy will be on hand to greet the crews. Dressed in traditional Bahian dress she will hand the crews lucky charms and Caipirinha cocktails in welcome. For those who don't know, a Caipirinha is a potent mix of Sugar cane spirit, sugar and lime juice. The effects on tired sailors after three weeks at sea need no elaboration.

Meanwhile as I write this I sit overlooking the bay in St. Helier, Jersey, where I have come for planning meeting to discuss details for the stopover in September. The islanders are delighted at Jersey's overall lead in the race, but with Skipper Simon Rowell and his crew currently at the back of this race, I am expecting to receive some words of suitable encouragement to pass to the crew at my earliest convenience!

- Tim Hedges

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