Clipper 09-10: Spirit of Australia to receive redress

8:25 PM Fri 2 Apr 2010 GMT

'Edinburgh Inspiring Capital heeled over in the Pacific - Clipper 09-10' Clipper Ventures PLC &copy

Clipper 09-10 Round the World race - Leg 7 Qindgao to San Francisco Day 32.

With Qingdao safely in last night and Jamaica Lightning Bolt now finished and due to pass under the Golden Gate bridge at 1245 local time, it is great to see more of the Clipper fleet berthed in the welcome calm of the Golden Gate Yacht Club.

As the gap between Qingdao and Jamaica Lightning Bolt at the finish line was less than 18 hours, it means that the Jamaican team takes second place on the podium. Having gone to the aid of the stricken California entry, the Race Committee awarded them redress of 32 hours and 15 minutes and it adds another second place to their impressive campaign. With the wind dropping overnight, there was some nervous clock watching on board though.

Spirit of Australia has formally requested redress of their average points for all races to date, equating to ten points, for the assistance that they gave to Hull & Humber during the recent medevac of the Hull & Humber skipper. It also takes into account the subsequent restrictions that the race office placed upon them due to the transfer of their
skipper over to Hull & Humber.

The Race Committee has agreed that the claim for redress is valid, and that there is no other sensible or fair way to handle this situation. The Race Committee also acknowledges that Spirit of Australia was in the lead at the time of the incident.

The ten points will therefore be awarded once the Australian entry completes the race course and safely arrives in San Francisco. Their eventual position across the finish line shall not count.

The Race Committee statement said, 'We would like to acknowledge the efforts that the skipper and crew of Spirit of Australia have had to go through in supporting their fellow competitors, not only Hull & Humber but also California following their recent dismasting. We also acknowledge the fact that this support was given without question and sacrificed the team's race position, which clearly demonstrates the spirit of seamanship between fellow competitors.'

The decision means that Spirit of Australia will have a total of 70 points. Jamaica Lightning Bolt's fine result moves them to second overall in the standings with 59 points and Cape Breton Island is in third place with 53.

Overnight, the fleet at sea have made good progress. Uniquely Singapore look like they will finish tomorrow afternoon local time and Spirit of Australia, Hull & Humber and California's ETA could be as early as Sunday evening local time. Edinburgh Inspiring Capital is around 40 miles behind and Easter Monday is her likely arrival. The California crew have now been able to set up a jury rig and with wind adding its power for the first time in many days, their dream of sailing rather than motoring under the iconic Golden Gate bridge looks likely to be realised.

Positions at 1500 UTC, Friday 2 April

Boat DTF* DTL*
Cape Breton Island FINISHED: 1425 UTC, Tuesday 30 March 2010
Jamaica Lightning Bolt FINISHED: 0734 UTC, Thursday 1 April 2010
Qingdao FINISHED: 2240 UTC, Thursday 1 April 2010
Uniquely Singapore 207nm 207nm
California 431nm 431nm
Hull & Humber 434nm 434nm
Spirit of Australia 438nm 438nm
Edinburgh Inspiring Capital 479nm 479nm
Team Finland 2914nm 2914nm
Cork Did not start

*DTF = Distance to Finish, *DTL = Distance to Leader)
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