Clipper 2002/2003 Race - Make hay whilst the sun shines
10:30, 11 September 2003
by Tim Hedges

Simon Rowell's morning report from Jersey says it all really.

"Windy day today, starting off with light NW and the lightweight kite, moving on to moderate westerlys and the medium weight kite, then a good westerly force 6 gusting 7 with the heavyweight, followed by a lovely westerly gale for a few hours with a poled out yankee 1. The wind dropped off a bit the last hour or so, but as I type this what looks like a line squall or front is about a mile away from coming over us, so hopefully we'll get our westerly gale back."

These winds have been producing good surfing conditions. Bristol reported reaching 17 knots on one wave whilst Liverpool seems to hold the record with a top speed of 18.4. Added to this the fleet have hit a favourable current helping to bump up the overall daily runs. Most boats have averaged over 9 knots in the last 12 hours, with Hong Kong just below at 8.8. Jersey continues to do well with although Bristol still holds a threatening position. Though only a few miles behind in distance to go, she is taking a more northerly course in the hope of getting a chance to outflank her rivals. Liverpool sits just behind Bristol in third place, and is also geographically chasing hard with less than 5 miles between them.

Three miles then separates 4th and 6th. Glasgow look to be virtually neck and neck with New York a few miles to the south, but interestingly it is London and Hong Kong who share 6th place despite Hong Kong being 20 miles to the north north west. Cape Town continue to be the southern most boat and as such are 4 miles further away on the great circle route to the finish.

The boats will need to take advantage of these high speeds as it does not look as if they will continue much beyond the weekend. An area of high pressure is forecast to establish over the north Atlantic by early next week and this could well slow the boats once more.

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