Racing is well underway among the crews of the Clipper 2009-10 fleet.

3:26 PM Thu 22 Apr 2010 GMT

'Clipper fleet racing under the Golden Gate Bridge - Clipper Round The World Yacht Race 2009-10.' Clipper Ventures PLC &copy

With San Francisco a wonderful memory the serious business of racing is well underway among the crews of the Clipper 2009-10 fleet. We are only half way through the 14 individual races within the 35,000-mile challenge so there are still plenty of points to be won and lost and positions to be gained.

The gruelling marathon of the Pacific Ocean is seen by some as a turning point in the event. Cape Breton Island's skipper Jan Ridd says, 'For me mit feels as if we have turned a corner in our trip round the world and we have started to head home!'

In his diary today, which you can read in full on the official race website, www.clipperroundtheworld.com , he says, 'We were in San Francisco three weeks and we all enjoyed our stay there but the problem with a prolonged stopover, apart from the damage to ones overstretched bank account, is that you get out of tune with life on board the yacht.

It was with much trepidation that we lined up for the start as I knew the forecast had predicted winds up to 40 knots overnight and there we be no honeymoon period for the crew, especially the new crew joining; they would have to find their sea legs and get used to life aboard the big blue canoe very quickly. In many ways I felt as if we were starting all over again.'

'I am very glad to say the amazing crew of the big blue canoe rose to the challenge and have sailed the yacht very professionally and the new crew joining have hit the deck running and not one of them has even faltered. On the first leg of this race I was constantly popping up on deck to check on every unusual noise or sudden course change, this even became a running joke and each watch was measured on how many 'meerkats' they suffered.'

'So far on this leg the crew have sailed the yacht in some very difficult seas with no input from myself. I even managed several hours of sleep in the middle of the boat surfing down five-metre waves at 20+ knots and I never felt the need to pop my head on deck for a meerkat moment. Such a difference from the first leg.'

Sea sickness, which can hit even the most hardened of sailors after prolonged periods ashore, has struck across the fleet but is now showing signs of abating. Team Finland was probably the least affected having spent just 36 hours in port and the crew have been getting some great speeds out of their boat; their latest 12-hour run is in excess of 140
miles, a performance that has them nosing ahead of overall race leaders Spirit of Australia.

But the boxing kangaroo is ready for this new round and skipper, Brendan Hall, says, 'We're off to a flying start. It was a great moment for all on board as we sailed out under the big red bridge. The weather forecast looked ominous and it has not failed to deliver, with winds gusting to 50 knots at times last night.'

'After the punishment of the last leg however, we found our stride in these tough conditions and have been sailing hard to get our noses out in front. The wind is starting to abate now, to the great relief of those on board feeling seasick.'

Qingdao and Jamaica Lightning Bolt are jostling for position slightly further offshore with just three miles separating their distances to the finish line.

Jamaica Lightning Bolt had the advantage overnight and skipper, Pete Stirling, says 'The last 24 hours have seen excellent sailing conditions with strong northerly winds pushing us south at a good rate of knots. Boat speeds have been consistently more than ten knots with the boat occasionally surfing at over 20 knots. As is always the case the first 24 hours at sea after a long stopover has been pretty tough on the crew. This is particularly the case with the rough conditions overnight and several of the crew have gone down with the dreaded seasickness. There are now signs of some improvement from the crew in question and hopefully by tomorrow they will be fighting fit and back on deck again. We're feeling quite happy with how the race has gone so far.'

Qingdao has reclaimed the upper hand this morning. Cork skipper, Hannah Jenner, has stepped into the breach after Chris Stanmore-Major's flight back from the UK fell victim to the Icelandic volcano, and she and the crew of the Chinese entry are pushing as hard as the conditions will allow. Hannah says, 'It's still pretty lively out here - I guess when you threaten to shake a reef out it is asking for a line of squalls to rack up behind you and take it in turns to do their worst. Still, we are getting some good speeds with surfs pushing us over 20 knots on occasions. The yankee has been down twice today for hank surgery which has lost us a few miles but nothing we need worry about at this stage. Two of our greenest looking crew members now almost resemble human beings although we still have two confined to their bunks. A baptism of fire for the new leggers and a stark reminder of life in the Pacific Ocean would best describe our current sailing conditions - great fun though! Oh, and I have managed the grand total of 40 minutes sleep so far!'

Further to the west again there's a Celtic battle waging between the Scotlands old and new. Nova Scotian entry, Cape Breton Island, has the edge over the old country representative, Edinburgh Inspiring Capital, now back up to full strength after the work on their spreader during the stopover.

'It is great to be back at sea,' says skipper, Matt Pike. 'We crossed the Pacific in strong winds and we left in similar conditions. A great tacking contest set the fleet off under the Golden Gate and out to sea.'

Local favourites, California, and Hull & Humber have taken the option of moving further offshore than the rest of the fleet to position themselves better for the forecast lighter winds 48 hours or so down the track.

According to the man in charge on Hull & Humber, Justin Taylor, 'Everybody was ecstatic about being first under bridge. We have gone a little further offshore than the rest of fleet and sacrificed a few miles but we now have a better angle as the big winds come in. It's currently gusting 40 knots from the north-west and we're racing with two reefs in the main and a staysail.'

It may look at the moment as if they are behind the pace but ocean racing is like chess - tactics and position are crucial and, with 2,800 miles to go the grand masters of Race eight are far from being crowned and Uniquely Singapore's skipper, Jim Dobie, is well aware of that.

He says, 'More and more faces are starting to appear today as the sea sickness gradually wears off and once pale, grey faces gradually return with a rosy outlook. The Pacific, once again not one for a gentle introduction, threw the new guys into a brisk wind and lively seas which excited some and sent the rest to bed. A fast start and some good mileage sees us heading offshore before heading south, looking to keep the wind for longer and picking up a bit of favourable current. With the wind forecast to start easing and then dying rapidly in the coming days, it's now so important to try and position oneself in the correct place.'

It's not just the crews racing on board the Clipper 2009-10 fleet who have tactical decisions to make. Almost 90,000 people around the world are pitting their wits against the elements in the Virtual Clipper Race. It's not too late to sign up to take part for Race eight and onwards - and you don't have to worry about those Pacific waves crashing over the boat and soaking you, headsail changes are no more complicated than a mouse-click, and a week in to the race you'll still be eating fresh fruit and vegetables while the crews are on tinned and dried rations! To play, follow the link from the homepage of the official race website or our Facebook page, www.facebook/clipperroundtheworld .

Positions at 0900 UTC, Thursday 22 April

Boat


Distance to Finish	Distance to Leader
1 Team Finland	2785nm
2 Spirit of Australia	2785nm	0nm
3 Qingdao	2809nm	24nm
4 Jamaica Lightning Bolt	2812nm	27nm
5 Cape Breton Island	2825nm	41nm
6 Edinburgh Inspiring Capital	2834nm	49nm
7 California	2858nm	73nm
8 Hull & Humber	2868nm	83nm
9 Uniquely Singapore	2875nm	90nm
10 Cork	Did not start