Final run

Clipper fleet expected in Salvador by the weekend

The eight Clipper 2002 race yachts continue to make good progress and look set to arrive in Salvador over the course of this weekend, with the frontrunners due in by Friday, 18 July if the current conditions prevail.

Duty skipper Justin Taylor reports that on Hong Kong Clipper they have 15 knots of true wind from the southeast, easily pushing them along at 8 to 9 knots. The sea is moderate and Justin describes it as "great sailing." The crews deserve this after the unsettled weather they have been used to over the last week, but there is still the odd squall about with regular sail changes still the order of the day.

Cape Town Clipper, skippered by Roger Steven-Jennings, has scored the highest 24-hour run of some 200 miles. The crew’s northern position has given them a slightly better angle to the wind and they have been able to aim a few degrees higher with the wind nearer the beam (middle) of the boat. This has given the South African team a distinct speed advantage, much to the consternation of Bristol skipper Richard Butler who commented that if they kept it up they could well overtake him to reclaim second place.

The Bristol team is also avidly following the progress at the back of the fleet. Jersey Clipper's finishing position is crucial to Bristol's chances of taking the Clipper 2002 overall lead. After twelve races so far, the Jersey crew hold just a two-point advantage over the Bristolians, so the finishing order into Salvador could potentially see some upset caused at the top of the table.

Justin Taylor and his Hong Kong crew will also be acutely aware of their overall position, needing to stay ahead of the Liverpool crew to retain third place overall. This hasn't stopped them from appreciating some of the more aesthetic aspects of life at sea however; namely a bright moon and "a huge blanket of stars."

In preparation for the fleet's arrival, the Clipper Road Show is once again on the move. Race Director Colin de Mowbray flew to Salvador last night and the race office support team fly out today. The team at the Nautical Centre in Salvador is well practised at greeting the Clipper fleet, as this is the race's fourth visit.

The ever-efficient Daisy will once again be on hand to greet the Clipper crews. Dressed in traditional Bahian dress, she will hand them lucky charms and Caipirinha cocktails in welcome. For those who don't know, a Caipirinha is a potent mix of sugar cane spirit, sugar and lime juice. The effects on tired sailors after three weeks at sea need no elaboration!

Meanwhile Tim Hedges, Assistant Race Director, has arrived in St. Helier, Jersey, for the latest planning meeting ahead of the fleet's Channel Island stopover on the next crew leg. The islanders are delighted at Jersey Clipper's overall lead in the race, but with skipper Simon Rowell and his crew currently holding the fleet's coat tails, Tim is expecting to receive some words of suitable encouragement to urgently pass onto the crew!

Clipper 2002 - Race 13 Positions
03:00, 16 July 2003

Pos Yacht Distance to Finish (nautical miles)
1 New York 416
2 Bristol 466
3 Cape Town 476
4 London 548
5 Glasgow 611
6 Hong Kong 650
7 Liverpool 657
8 Jersey 664