Clipper fleet heads toward Windward Passage

(May 25, 2014) – The Grange Hotels Trophy got off to a flying start at (1800 UTC) yesterday as the 12-strong matched fleet left behind the warm, laid back hospitality of Jamaica ahead of the 1,420 mile race to the city that never sleeps, New York.

With less than 20 miles currently separating the tightly-packed fleet as it head towards the Windward Passage between Cuba and Haiti, Derry~Londonderry~Doire is currently neck and neck with overall leader of the race Henri Lloyd as OneDLL and Mission Performance and the rest of the fleet continue the chase.

Skipper of Henri Lloyd, Eric Holden, reflects on his teams start for Race 13 in his skipper report today. “We got around the turning mark in the top group so are pleased we got away clean and can focus on beating upwind towards the Windward Passage between Cuba and Haiti. Earlier on the breeze allowed us to sail the direct route but that was too good to last and now the wind has shifted right where we want to go.”

After a spectacular stopover in Jamaica which saw Switzerland collect its second podium, the Swiss team is hoping that Race 13 will be third time lucky as they head for New York. Skipper Vicky Ellis, discusses her team’s start in her skipper report today:

“Race 13 start got us off with a bang and we have been enjoying some close racing with the other teams since the gun went. A wind shift overnight saw the fleet divide in to two groups but it is still very close between all the boats. GREAT Britain is on our tail and has been now for several hours.”

Meanwhile, skipper of Jamaica Get All Right, Pete Stirling, was disappointed with his team’s start yesterday, but as a veteran Clipper Race skipper is well aware New York is still a long way off.

“I decided to head further east than the rest of the fleet and left the Formigas Bank to port whilst the

other teams left it to starboard. Whilst we were the most southerly boat we were also the most easterly boat which I thought would put us in a good position to lay through the Windward Passage between Cuba and Haiti.

“However we got headed early by the wind and now find ourselves approximately ten miles due south of the rest of the fleet. I am quite annoyed at myself for following these tactics but it is still early days and we have a long way to go to New York.”

Report by event media.

Skipper reports: http://www.clipperroundtheworld.com/skipper-reports
Race tracker: http://yb.tl/clipper2013-race13
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 12 teams began Race 13, the 1420 mile leg to New York City – The Grange Hotels Trophye – on May 24. The fleet is estimated to arrive into New York between 31 May and 1 June. The final leg resumes on 7 June and concludes with a spectacular homecoming in London on 12 July.

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.