Apr 21 2010
Clipper Race Passes By Channel Islands
Race 8 of the circumnavigating “Clipper Race” departed San Francisco on Tuesday and will be passing by Southern California tonight and tomorrow. The tactical decision on this leg is whether to stay coastal or go off shore. Only time will tell what is the right decision. This leg is expected to take approximately 3 weeks en route to Panama.
In the early going, “Spirit of Australia” has a 4 mile lead over “Team Finland”. The American entry, “California” is in the pack in 7th place approximately 30 miles behind the leader. The racers are using a “clearing wind” to chalk up some impressive milage today as they run down the coast about 50 miles off shore.
Unlike any other racing event in the world, the Clipper Race encompasses the true amateur spirit. Racers volunteer to crew on a leg or legs of the 8-leg, 15-race circuit around the world which began in the UK last September. From Panama, the race continues to Jamaica, then on to New York City, Nova Scotia and across the Atlantic, finishing back in the UK by mid-July.
42 people comprise the crew of “California”. 27 of them are men and 15 are women. The average age is 41 with the oldest being 63 and the youngest, 19. The ten competing vessels are all identical 68 foot Ed Dubois designed cutters much like professional Volvo Ocean Racing boats.
If you missed your chance to volunteer on a leg this time, don’t worry. Plans are fully underway for the 2011-12 race as this looks to be a very popular yet somewhat maniacal diversion for some people… sign up here.
Another good title would have been “Clipper race SCREAMS past CI” or something along those lines.
Look at where they are now Heather and your title would be very apropos !
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