Clipper Race: Pacific Crossing Comes to a Close

(April 17, 2016; Day 28) – Home port entry Visit Seattle has crossed the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race finish line of the Seattle Pacific Challenge, pipping rival PSP Logistics in the final stages in light conditions. The team will arrive into Seattle’s Bell Harbor at 0800 local time Sunday.

Upon finishing Race 9, Skipper of Visit Seattle, Huw Fernie, said: “With a fading breeze it seemed like the finish to this exceptional race would never come. We finally managed to cross the line, one eye on the remarkable scenery around us and the other looking out for PSP Logistics. I’m proud of our collective achievement, all that is left is a short motor home and we look forward to being back in touch with the world. See you in Seattle.”

In the building high, lighter conditions have slowed PSP Logistics and Visit Seattle near the finish line. At the time of writing at 0130 UTC, PSP Logistics has 30 nautical miles to go to the finish line and is expected to cross in the next three to four hours.

Meanwhile IchorCoal is still enjoying better speeds, making 11 knots currently. And on Da Nang – Viet Nam, the team has been continuing to do maintenance and jobs as it motorsails to the finish line.

In the Ocean Sprint, Garmin has been declared the winner, beating Unicef’s time by just one minute. After Race Office ratification, Garmin will gain a valuable extra two points after recording the fastest time.

As Race 9 concludes with 274 nm to go for IchorCoal and 400 nm for Da Nang – Viet Nam, any Skipper reports will be posted to the race website and social media along with the latest ETAs for the teams.

As Race 9 – the Seattle Pacific Challenge – comes to a close, teams will have a rest until Race 10 – the PSP Logistics Panama Cup – gets underway on April 28.

Event Website – Race Viewer – Team Reports – Facebook

Report by event media.

Background: The 40,000 mile Clipper 2015-16 Round the World Yacht Race began in London, UK on August 30 for the fleet of twelve identical Tony Castro designed Clipper 70s. The series is divided into 16 individual races, with the team with the best cumulative score winning the Clipper Race Trophy. Each team is led by a professional skipper with an all-amateur crew.

The fleet departed on March 21 from Qingdao, China for the 6,637 mile course to Seattle, USA.

The ports along the race route are Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Cape Town, South Africa; Albany, Sydney, Hobart and Airlie Beach, Australia; Da Nang, Vietnam; Qingdao, China; Seattle, USA; Panama; New York, USA; Derry-Londonderry, Ireland; and Den Helder, Netherlands before returning to London by late July.