Clipper Race bans alternative routing or navigational software

(May 7, 2014) – All positions in Race 11 of the Clipper Race, the PSP Logistics Panama 100 Cup from San Francisco to Panama, have now been finalised subject to the race declarations being confirmed by the Race Office on arrival in Panama.

The first eight boats crossed the revised Farallones Finish Line, Invest Africa accepted 12th place and Qingdao, PSP Logistics and Mission Performance were awarded 9th, 10th and 11th places respectively based on crossing the earlier Remedios Gate to enable them to turn on their engines and motor-sail with the rest of the fleet in the very light airs being experienced.

The whole fleet is diverting to Golfito Bay in Costa Rica in order to refuel en route to Panama and is expected to arrive in Flamenco Marina, Panama, 9-11 May.

Following the completion of Race 11, the Race Committee has issued an amendment to the Sailing Instructions that will come into force from Race 12 from Panama to Jamaica

The amendment bans the use of routing or navigational software other than that as provided by Clipper Ventures to all the yachts, this being Euronav’s Seapro software.

The use of other navigational and routing software is not specifically addressed in the current Sailing Instructions or Standard Operating Procedures and therefore is not against the rules. However, after due consideration and review, the Race Committee feels that although alternative software is very similar, its use is not in the spirit of the race.

The decision in not retrospective, so no action will be taken against any yacht that may have used other software and all previous results will stand.

From Race 12 onwards any breach of the new rule will result in disqualification.

The final positions for Race 11 are as follows:
1. GREAT Britain
2. Henri Lloyd
3. Jamaica Get All Right
4. Team Garmin
5. Old Pulteney
6. Derry~Londonderry~Doire
7. OneDLL
8. Switzerland
9. Qingdao
10. PSP Logistics
11. Mission Performance
12. Invest Africa

The overall leader board has now been updated together with Gate and Sprint points for this race and can be viewed HERE

However, any penalty points for Legs 5 and 6 are yet to be applied by the Race Office.

At the moment the overall podium sees Henri Lloyd in the lead with 108.9 points, GREAT Britain second with 101 points and OneDLL in third with 98 points. Derry~Londonderry ~Doire is just 5 points from the podium in fourth place overall with 93 points.

Report by event media.

Skipper reports: http://www.clipperroundtheworld.com/skipper-reports
Race tracker: http://yb.tl/clipper2013-race11
Race website: http://www.clipperroundtheworld.com

Background:
The 40,000 mile Clipper 2013-14 Round the World Yacht Race began in London, UK on September 1 for the fleet of twelve identical Tony Castro designed Clipper 70s.

The race route includes Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Cape Town, South Africa; Albany, Sydney, Hobart and Brisbane, Australia; Singapore; Qingdao, China; San Francisco, USA; Panama; Jamaica; New York, USA; Derry-Londonderry, Ireland; and Den Helder, Netherlands before returning to London in July.