Penultimate race of Clipper 07-08 starts in Sydney

It was an anxious start to the morning for the Race Team as the Clipper crews woke to a light breeze but, as the morning progressed, the wind filled in and by the time the yachts slipped their moorings at the Sydney Marine Terminal at midday it had strengthened to ten knots to allow a spectacular start in beautiful conditions in the harbour.

Durban 2010 and Beyond was first across the start line in a tightly packed leading group. They beat New York and Hull & Humber by a metre. Qingdao came up fast behind them to cross fourth, followed by Liverpool 08 who are aiming to be on the podium when the fleet arrives back in Albert Dock on July 5 at the end of the 35,000-mile circumnavigation.

westernaustralia2011.com was the only team to use their Yankee 2 headsail and to cross the line on the port tack. Their manoeuvre allowed them to pick up the better winds on the east side of the harbour and they quickly moved from sixth across to the line and into the lead as they sailed close to the Marine Terminal where the crowds including hundreds of local school children cheered them on.

Jamaica, Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper, Uniquely Singapore and Nova Scotia brought up the rear, with the team on the yacht representing the province clearly sad to leave after the stopover where they have been made so welcome, first in Halifax, then in Sydney.

Nova Scotia skipper, Rob McInally, said, “It was always a big billing for Nova Scotia and it has been fantastic being here. We knew it would be very good and it has far exceeded expectations. I’m really speaking from the heart, I’ve been very proud to be representing Nova Scotia. Being here, meeting the people and being involved in the community has been really heart warming.”

For some of the crew who joined the team for the last leg in Jamaica, this will be their first ocean crossing, for the round the worlders it will be their last on their ten-month adventure. Rob says, “We had a crew briefing yesterday and we talked about the fact that we’ve done lots of short races lately and we’ve been very close to land and we need to be a bit more responsible for each other and I think the crew are in the right mood. There’s a little bit of nerves, which is perfect, it will keep them on edge. There are a few colds around but the weather’s pretty nice today and I think we’ll get a few days to settle into the watch routine and it’s going to be a rollercoaster ride down to Cork.”

Half an hour into the race Qingdao were pulling out a healthy lead over the rest of the fleet. Durban 2010 and Beyond were second, westernaustralia2011.com third and New York in fourth place.

Crowds lined the dockside to wave off the yachts. Sydney resident Amanda McLeod, who has been to visit the fleet every day they have been in port, said, “It’s been amazing for Sydney. It’s the first time we’ve had something of this magnitude here. We’ve always had the music stuff but as far as using the harbour goes, besides the cruise ships this is the best thing I’ve seen. It’s better than the cruise ships because you get to meet them. All the people are amazing – I loved all of them. I got the tour of the boats and I’m definitely going to be applying to do the race!”