Clipper 2002/2003 Race - Cape Town Top Dog
08:48, 10 August 2003
by Colin de Mowbray

Jersey can now celebrate a week of heading this, the thirteenth race of the whole of event. Skipper Simon Rowell will not be relaxing as he will remember better than anyone how, in February this year, they led the race to Galapagos for the whole three weeks bar the last 6 hours. Jersey's lead is crucial to them after their seventh place into Brazil which resulted in Bristol taking a 3 point lead. Currently, with Bristol just holding Liverpool off for fourth place, both boats have equal points but because Bristol has better placings (four firsts) this would still put them above Jersey. With races counting for two and a half race points to come when they leave New York, this is a shoot out that is going to go all the way and provide great excitement.

London's Skipper Rory Gillard has now taken over the reporting duty. He states that although the relative steady reaching conditions mean there is not much way the boats can find overtaking opportunities, he then laments the fact that they still managed to find a quiet patch for two hours. This has not only dropped them back relative to the other boats in the east but has also meant that Cape Town has slipped past them way over to the west.

I have always thought that the Monaco Grand Prix is boring as the cars never seem to be able to pass each other. Should this not be a basic requirement for a race? Even in the present sailing conditions where the boats are so evenly matched, such a claim can not be made of the Clipper race. There are so many angles to look at in addition to the obvious race order. There is the battle for the overall lead, the gamble by Cape Town in the west, the battle royal between Bristol and Liverpool, not to mention the fight for third place. Currently only 8.5 points separate the 5 boats determined to get a final podium position. With the changing weather, the significant ocean currents and all the other variables, the run into New York is going to be fascinating.

Over the last 12 hours Cape Town has been the only boat to take miles out of Jersey and they will be holding their breath that their western track will now pay dividends. As Sir Robin remarks, the westerly boats in the single handed Around Alone did better than the others. If the wind holds for them, and they get more current, we could see them make gains. Certainly further north they will hope to get stronger currents which will lead them into the famous Gulf Stream.

Another great spectator sport is the tussle between Liverpool and Bristol. They keep closing and opening but have never been more than 3 miles apart for over three days now. Liverpool crew member Phil Mckie will be looking forward more than anyone to crossing their outbound track. As a Round the Worlder on the 2000 race he had to return to UK from Mauritius for business reasons. What does he end up doing? He rejoins Liverpool Clipper in the 2002 race to see the job through.

As the Clippers continue to knock off 200 miles or more each day there will be many at setting off today in the Fastnet Race who will be envious of such conditions. Amongst the 250 boats is Binks Butler's Boat Boozeroo …a name like that is enough to turn you to the hard stuff. This fleet can expect light winds for most of the week for their 'gruelling' 610 mile race. This will test some of the crews to the limit as they discovers the frustrations and difficulties of sailing in light winds which can require far greater skill levels than bashing along in a good breeze. A fact now well appreciated by the Clipper crews. A slow Fastnet race often results in some boats running very low on food as they store to the absolute minimum. A policy they may get away with but it would not be the same for ocean racing where every aspect of the organisation plays a major part. That is especially the case for the Clipper Victuallers who do the provisioning!

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