Clipper Race: Then there were two

(October 20, 2017; Day 16) – With ten teams of the Clipper 2017-18 Round the World Yacht Race now arrived into Cape Town, all eyes are now on Unicef and PSP Logistics as they aim toward South Africa to complete the second race of the contest.

Unicef is currently 387 nautical miles from the finish line in Cape Town, but will face some tricky conditions in the final stretch, as Skipper Bob Beggs reports: “We are hopeful to arrive either late on the 21st or in early hours on the 22nd; that’s if we can sneak in before the wind dies completely as forecast.

“The wind has already eased and the sea state has flattened off, prompting a change to spinnakers soon after breakfast as we want to keep the momentum going.”

It has been a tricky race for Unicef, who suffered a series of spinnaker wraps during the race, including one on day 4 which damaged the inner-forestay. Whilst this slowed the boat considerably, the team continued to show incredible teamwork to keep racing towards Cape Town.

All the effort will be worth it when they arrive in Cape Town, as Bob explains: “One of the highlights of the stopover for me will be visiting Isibindi Unicef South Africa Child Protection Program, including a home visit to see first-hand the great work that Unicef is doing to change the lives of many children worldwide.”

Also in Bob’s thoughts is the other team still racing across the South Atlantic Ocean, with the Skipper adding: “The race from Punta del Este won’t be over until we are able to welcome in the whole team of PSP Logistics into Cape Town and back into the fold.

“Sail safe and fast guys, looking forward to greeting you in alongside!”

PSP Logistics is still some days out from arriving in Cape Town, with the team around 500 nautical miles from the western gate of the Elliot Brown Ocean Sprint.

Like Unicef, The Stormhoek Race to The Cape of Storms has been a challenging one for PSP Logistics, who were forced to return to Punta del Este for repairs after a whale collided with the boat just two days after leaving Uruguay.

However, the team remains in good spirits and is continuing to race hard, with Skipper Roy Taylor saying: “2,000 nautical miles to run to the finish line. Still in champagne conditions, but expecting our appointment with Mother Nature in the small hours of Friday morning and expecting the front to pass over us sometime Friday evening.

“Still on for arriving on Friday 27th October, but hoping to make this an early arrival (daylight without rain would be very nice).”

For the ETA of the remaining teams into Cape Town… click here.

The 12 teams started leg 2/race 2 – the 3,560nm leg from Punta del Este, Uruguay to Cape Town, South Africa – on October 4, and is due to finish between October 19 and 22 and will be berthed at the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront until October 31.

Event details – Race facts – Race viewer – Facebook

Background: Held biennially, the Clipper 2017-18 Round the World Yacht Race got underway August 20 for the fleet of twelve identical Tony Castro designed Clipper 70s. The 40,000nm course is divided into 13 individual races with the team having the best cumulative score winning the Clipper Race Trophy. Each team is led by a professional skipper with an all-amateur crew that signs up for one, some, or all the races. The 2017-18 race, expected to take 11 months, has attracted 712 people representing 41 nationalities, making it the largest to date.

Race Route – Race Schedule and Miles

Source: Clipper Round the World Yacht Race