Calm after the storm

Clipper round the world fleet now motoring

Due to light winds in the area, the Clipper fleet is currently motoring east from Halifax into open water and it is planned that the eight teams will start Race 15 to Jersey with a Le Mans start at 12:00 GMT today, Tuesday, 9 September.

The Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron has superbly hosted the Clipper fleet since its arrival, making the turnaround of fuelling and re-stocking as time efficient as possible. In glorious conditions yesterday, the eight Clipper yachts saluted Halifax and thanked their pit stop hosts as they set off under clear skies, motoring out of the harbour in formation.

The Nova Scotia press led with the devastation of Hurricane Fabian in Bermuda and the diversion of the Clipper 2002 Race, plus several cruise liners, also took prominence on the front pages. This is notably a community that lives for the sea and understands nautical events.

Looking ahead, the equally seafaring community on the Channel Island of Jersey will be avidly following the fleet's advancement across the Atlantic; not least the progress of their home team aboard Jersey Clipper. With the Jersey crew now just one point adrift of their Bristolian rivals who top the leaderboard, it’s certain that both teams will be striving hard to steal Race 15 glory.