Light airs test Clipper fleet skills

'westernaustralia2011.com's Keely and Jadranka on the winch - Clipper 07-08' Clipper Ventures Plc &copy Click Here to view large photo

The Clipper 07-08 fleet has fewer than 600 nautical miles to run to the finish of Race 11 at the famous Ambrose lighthouse and once again the wind has deserted the yachts and they are ghosting along on mirror-flat seas. It is at times like these when the skilled light wind helms and sail trimmers earn their corn as they manage to find that extra 0.1 knot of boat speed that eludes their competitors.

At the midday (GMT) schedule westernaustralia2011.com was just four miles behind leaders Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper in terms of distance to finish. Skipper Martin Silk reports, 'For once we're proving we can sail in all conditions, even the really light stuff, as we sit amongst the leaders. It's been a day of few miles and many sail changes, the trusty windseeker earning its keep, shared with some very testing kite work. Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper requested our stern light be switched on as she passed behind us this evening, a mere ten feet away.'

The Scottish crew, who have shown at other times since the race set out from Liverpool last September that they are good in light winds, have managed to scratch out a slender lead over New York. It may be just enough to get them into the stronger winds an hour earlier than the other nine yachts in the fleet which will produce a much bigger gain.

Nova Scotia is the only team that has positioned themselves away from the main group and more to the east. If they manage to catch a little bit more wind earlier than the rest of the fleet it could see them leap frog the leading pair and take a commanding lead.

With the light winds forecast to continue for the next 18 to 24 hours there will be frustration and tensions building onboard each of the boats as they all try to gain precious miles over their neighbours who, at this moment in time, can easily been seen.

'Durban 2010 and Beyond is drifting in very little wind,' says South African skipper, Ricky Chalmers, whose crew will not be alone in feeling the tensions begin to bubble to the surface. 'Everyone on board is happy but anxious as to when we will start moving again. Given how close we all are to each other, it is frustrating to be in tenth place - and only be 18 miles from the leader.'

On board Qingdao they are trying to make the best of the conditions they have. Skipper Marcus Cholerton-Brown says, 'We've had a very hard 24 hours with light and variable winds. We reached them first so saw the fleet come up behind us into view and compress. Then followed a long period of wallowing before any real movement. We've stuck up the spinny and gone off on a bit of a flyer, which we may come to regret, but at least we are moving and going in the right general direction. Never was very good at patience.'

With the current light winds it is anticipated that the fleet will arrive in New York on Sunday or Monday.

Hull & Humber in the millpond-like Atlantic - Clipper 07-08 - Clipper VenturesPlc &copy Click Here to view large photo

POSITIONS AT 1200 GMT ON 29 MAY 2008
1 Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper: Distance to finish (DTF) 578
2 New York: DTF 580 (Distance to Leader 2)
3 Nova Scotia: DTF 581 (+3)
4 Jamaica: DTF 581 (+3)
5 westernaustralia2011.com: DTF 582 (+4)
6 Qingdao: DTF 582 (+4)
7 Liverpool 08: DTF 583 (+5)
8 Hull & Humber: DTF 586 (+8)
9 Uniquely Singapore: DTF 589 (+11)
10 Durban 2010 and Beyond: DTF 596 (+18)

The latest positions and full leaderboard can be viewed at www.clipperroundtheworld.com

Berths are now available for the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race. For more information on applying to become a crew member email oceanracer@clipperroundtheworld.comcall the Crew Recruitment Manager on +44 (0) 2392 526000. The Clipper Race is open to anyone over the age of 18 and there is no upper age limit.