Clipper 2002/2003 Race - Full speed ahead
10:00, 04 August 2003
by Tim Hedges

With the fleet all now back in the northern hemisphere, the relative positions continue to change, however the courses that the teams have been following seems much more settled. A day or so ago some were going west whilst others were heading north, the difference in results providing great interest for the armchair follower. The reasons behind this were not so much down to differing tactics as to the wind direction. Blowing predominantly from the south east, the boats had a choice of a gybe to the north or to the west. Some went deeper, more directly downwind, whilst others chose to sail slightly higher and faster and thus further from the rhumb line. Added to this was the favourable current helping those to the west, whilst those heading north were heading more towards New York.

The result was to show a real spread in the fleet, and some major position shuffles, none more evident than New York who went from third to first to third to eighth in less than 48 hours. Now however they appear to have regrouped somewhat and are all heading pretty much in the same direction and again the reason is the wind. Now blowing steadily from the East at around force 6, the boats are all able to make good progress to the north east, heavy weight spinnakers up, for some fast broad reach sailing. London have been the only major victims, loosing three places to sit in sixth position and thus benefiting Liverpool and Hong Kong who have climbed to 5th and 3rd respectively.

Otherwise life goes on as normal with the slight exception that Neptune has been visiting the boats in turn to demand that those "crossing the line" for the first time pay due penance. Look out for full reports in the individual crew diaries

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