Underway again

Clipper Round the World Race sets sail from Japan

Another lovely morning greeted the Clipper crews as they prepared for sea at
the Bayside Marina in Yokohama. With the formalities cleared, the eight yachts proceeded down to the entrance of Tokyo Bay for the start of Clipper 2002's seventh race - a 925-mile contest taking the fleet to Shanghai.

Two years ago at this spot the Clipper fleet was contending with a force 9 gale. This year, as the convoy of official boats and race yachts mustered, the wind died and the sea became flat calm.

Whereas some high profile yacht races have waited days for the right conditions, this was not to happen here. Clipper’s Champion and principal host in Yokohama, Mr Kaido, stated that the wind would pick up again from the east in an hour's time. Sure enough, in an hour's time the wind picked up from the east to provide a perfect windward start.

Bristol Clipper, defending champion of the 2000 race, was chased over the line by Sam Fuller’s New York team. Cape Town Clipper timed it just right and with good boat speed was clear in front of Liverpool as they slipped past her.

Next was London Clipper, followed by Glasgow and Jersey. Hong Kong Clipper, basking in the glory of her win into Yokohama gave the others a sporting head start by taking up the rear of the fleet.

After an 8-mile beat out of the Tokyo Bay the yachts should have a light but fair wind to get them off to a good start. The weather looks to be kind for at least the first two days, after that the next depression is due to arrive.