Slow boats to China

Knarly conditions and injured crew as Clipper fleet battle on towards Qingdao reports Alistair Skinner

A north going current of around 2 knots coupled to 35 to 40 knot northerly wind kicked up a very uncomfortable short steep sea as the Clipper fleet battled towards Qingdao. The biting cold which even layers of thermals, a mid layer and then full foulies topped off with balaclava and ski goggles couldn’t keep out the cold and wet.

The Dubois 68, which was designed with downwind sailing in mind doesn’t relish a hard slog to windward and many crew members commented on the slamming they experienced as they made their way up through the Taiwan Straiht with the boat tacking, slipping sideways, tacking again and almost just going back the way they came.

The Shanghai-built boats all stood up well to the weather though with not the slightest sign of a repeat of the problems than required them to stopover in Subic Bay in the Philippines around this point in the last race. Whatever the cause of the keel problems the last time round seem well and truly eliminated.

This was a tough leg with even snow thrown in for good measure. And many boats reported minor breakages but also so did the crews with one of the worst occurring on Glasgow, Scotland with Style. A breaking wave swept two crew members part way down the deck. One managed to hang on and then grab his crew mate, but not before he impacted with something hard, assumed to be the grinder pedestal and fractured his arm in places.

Unfortunately this happened over five days from the finish in Qingdao and although the option to put the injured crew ashore was discussed he bravely insisted on the boat continuing and not losing valuable time.

As I write this Qingdao Clipper is still at sea having had problems of her own with two of the crew being extremely ill, with one even lapsing into unconsciousness. Again she insisted on staying with the boat when she came round wanting to finish the leg and sail into her home port.

The welcome today for 8th and 9th placed Nova Scotia and Liverpool was bright, noisy and enthusiastic with representatives from Clipper and the Qingdao Olympic Committee welcoming the boats.

The welcome to Qingdao promises to be even more spectacular when she arrives at around 0900 tomorrow (Sunday) morning and your reporter will cover this arrival from the water.

It is worth bearing in mind that in a year's time it will be the Volvo Ocean Race fleet who are heading up this same stretch of coast.