Clipper 2002/2003 Race - Glasgow is tops!
08:49, 13 August 2003
by Colin de Mowbray

Jersey's run away performance over the last 3 days has been amazing but finally, with a staggering lead of 136 miles over second place Hong Kong, the haemorrhaging has at least been halted. It is a complement to Simon Rowell and the crew of Jersey, that Glasgow hit the head lines by taking a mere 4 miles out of their gigantic lead. Apart from three isolated and small gains by Cape Town and Hong Kong, Jersey have pulled away from everyone for 10 consecutive radio schedules coving the last 5 days. No wonder Rory Gillard reports sardonically that London's wind is ENE 8 knots and probably ESE 25 knts for those good guys in Jersey clipper.

The wind has returned and although not strong most of the boats have managed 24 hour runs of around 190 miles. As is so often the case the poor get poorer and London and New York at the back have not faired so well. Ross Daniel will not be happy with his 135 miles for the day and is going to have to pull some pretty sensational rabbits out of the bag to counter the cruel luck they have been having.

Cape Town's move to the west that showed promise two days ago does not seem to have been sustained and the boats to the middle and east of the direct line have now had the advantage. Although Cape Town is closing again they could still find an advantage on this side and maybe will be able to creep up the board once again.

After Adam Kyffin's birthday success against Bristol yesterday he and the crew of Liverpool have managed to keep the gap constant on Bristol. They will be getting lots of encouragement from Jersey at present as fourth place for Bristol means that the points for the overall lead are the same, although Bristol still will be ranked first for having the better set of results (four first places).

There is now 326 miles between the first and last boat so this could mean the boats will finish over a 48 hour period when they reach New York. Jersey presently has 1424 miles to run but the conditions will be variable and an estimate of the time it will take her is difficult. Rather than commit myself at this early stage I asked Mike at the Martock paper shop what his thoughts were. As an avid Bristol Clipper supporter he agreed with Binks that Bristol would still win (although I admit he was noticeably short on details on this point). He said that if Jersey managed to average 200 miles a day they would finish in 7 days time on 20 August. If he is right that would be a great achievement for both Jersey and the Martock News Agency.

Meanwhile back on the Celtic sea there are a great number of boats drifting around either on their way to the Fastnet Rock or on their way back. The two super maxis have finished but the vast majority of boats are going to be out there for a long time yet. Even in the Open 60 class VMI, skippered by Sebastien Josse, has managed to pull out a massive 64 mile lead over Mike Golding's Ecover in second place, and that is only two thirds through a 620 miles race! Clearly Jersey Clipper will have to enter next time, skippered by Simon Rowell who will have to be prized out of his Jersey retirement home having, after all, been granted his citizenship and the order of the Flower King for his outstanding efforts in Clipper 2002.

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