Clipper 09-10: Spirit of Australia first to scoring gate

1:02 AM Sun 10 Jan 2010 GMT

'Cork skippered by Richie Fearon' Clipper Ventures PLC &copy

Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race, Leg 5, Day 7. Geraldton WA to Singapore.

Spirit of Australia are the first boat to cross the scoring gate with Cork, Ireland crossing in second place.

Uniquely Singapore are in a good postion to clinch third place although have no yet crossed the line.

Overnight Report:

A change in wind speed and direction has favoured Spirit of Australia and it looks as though the Australian team will once again secure maximum points at the scoring gate.

Cork's Richie Fearon, says, 'We were in a stronger position until the wind came round which has favoured Spirit of Australia as they are able to sail that bit closer to the wind and hit better speeds than us.'

Spirit of Australia's skipper, Brendan Hall, reports that his crew is in an 'inner-ballerina mode' today as the team approaches the scoring gate.

'All movements on deck are made as small and as light footed as possible,' says Brendan. 'In the light winds we have today, this approach is needed to keep the boat balanced and creeping along at just a few knots. Even down below the greatest efficiency of movement is asked of everyone. Maximum concentration on the helm and trimming seem to be paying off in our little duel with Cork. The pace has slowed since yesterday and the remaining 60 nautical miles to the gate now seems like an agonisingly long way.'

Uniquely Singapore is also in a strong position to pick up points at the scoring gate but the team's skipper, Jim Dobie, is finding the situation tense.

'With the gate fast approaching we are trying to get as much speed as we possibly can out of Uniquely Singapore, making sure we are pushing towards Cork and Spirit of Australia. With the light winds the crew is now having to helm like they have never helmed before with so much concentration. All it takes is the smallest movement to shake the wind out of our sails and then it takes forever to build it up again. The sun beats relentlessly and the sweat pours off the crew sitting on the rail to keep the boat balanced. The crew is in good spirits and as usual the heat isn't getting them down and the Keppel 'can do' approach prevails.'

California's skipper Pete Rollason, is also not ruling his team out of achieving a top three position across the scoring gate.

'We are making the best speed we can towards the gate and are hopeful of some gains against the leaders so that we can get some points,' says Pete. 'However, the bigger picture shows the leading three boats are all to the east of us and they will all have to track west towards Sunda.
This we trust will allow some benefit to come California's way.'

Following their distinct move away from the fleet towards the west yesterday, Jamaica Lightning Bolt has now gone into Stealth Mode and has also launch Operation GJIFP (Get Jamaica into First Place).

'You will all have to wait until we are out of stealth to discover just how successful we have been,' says the team's skipper, Pete Stirling.

In the meantime Jamaica Lightning Bolt's skipper is concentrating on keeping his team in good spirits as the hot sticky conditions make life on board more than a little uncomfortable.

'The crew is good humoured at the moment but these are the very conditions that can lead to tempers getting frayed and even the most tolerant person losing their rag,' explains Pete. 'The crew have all been briefed about this and told they have to hold it together. In the event of it all becoming too much they can always wonder up to the foredeck and scream to release the building pressure.'

The light winds and soaring temperatures are taking their toll on all the teams and Hull & Humber's skipper, Piers Dudin, explains how his team is attempting to keep cool.

'The temperatures continue to soar but a faint breeze across the boat is helping,' says Piers. 'What is also helping is wrapping a water bottle in a wet rag and rigging up some shade at the helm. When we're not helming or changing kites the crew run for cover, although shade is pretty limited in the midday hours.'

Respite comes at night and Hull & Humber has also been enjoying the benefits of clear skies to take in night sky. 'With less and less moon, and absolutely no light pollution the night sky is becoming especially impressive,' explains Piers. 'Early in the morning Scorpio is now appearing, chasing the heels of Virgo. The Southern Cross still reminds us of where we've been, as does Jupiter, which has been with us since our training last summer.'

Cape Breton Island's skipper, Jan Ridd, has also enjoyed being on deck as darkness falls. He says, 'We had a wonderful night of sailing last night with a gentle breeze and a clear sky so we could see the stars, moon and shooting stars. There was a particularly wondrous moment when a pod of dolphins came right alongside the boat to investigate. I sat with my feet over the side of the boat just inches away from a dolphin lit by the moonlight. It will be one of the memories I will treasure from this adventure.'

Meanwhile, Qingdao has had an exasperating night having lost 12 miles to Team Finland in a single six hour schedule.

'The forecast of 12 knots of breeze in our area only ever filled into six knots,' explains the Chinese team's skipper, Chris Stanmore-Major. 'And yet Team Finland, just slightly to our west, found pressure beneath a cloud bank we could see but just could not get to. So it's frustration but not despair on the Dragon Wagon today.'

Qingdao is one of a group of boats which have decided not to head for the scoring gate but are hoping to find more breeze out to the west.

'Competition within this group is just as close as that in the lead pack,' says Chris. 'As we track west positioning for the Sunda Straits this western pack looses mile upon mile against those going north. However the pay off should come in the next 36 hours as the northern pack turns at the gate and begins the difficult road west.'

Positions at 0900 UTC, Saturday 09 January

Boat DTF* DTL*
1 Spirit of Australia 1031nm 0nm
2 Cork 1042nm 11nm
3 Uniquely Singapore 1050nm 19nm
4 California 1066nm 34nm
5 Cape Breton Island 1069nm 37nm
6 Team Finland 1090nm 58nm
7 Hull & Humber 1098nm 67nm
8 Edinburgh Inspiring Capital 1100nm 69nm
9 Qingdao 1106nm 75nm
10 Jamaica Lightning Bolt Stealth Mode

(*DTF = Distance to Finish, *DTL = Distance to Leader)
www.clipperroundtheworld.com

Spirit of Australia skippered by Brendan Hall sail out to sea as they leave Geraldton, Western Australia for Singapore at the start of race 5 - Clipper Ventures PLC &copy

by Clipper Ventures