After 676 hours of non stop competition, Race2 from La Rochelle to Rio de Janeiro officially ended at 12.00 GMT today. This followed the issuing of amended Sailing Instructions which were received by the fleet 24 hours ago. Those teams that had already crossed the finish line will be awarded the relevant finishing position, while the others will be awarded the position based on their distance to finish as of noon today. Team Finland, Spirit of Australia and Jamaica Lightning Bolt took the three podium positions, with Cape Breton Island and Cork, Ireland, also crossing the finish line this morning.
Sixth place now goes to Qingdao, seventh to Hull & Humber, eight to Uniquely Singapore and ninth to Edinburgh Inspiring Capital. California had already accepted tenth place when light winds seriously hampered their attempt to make it to Rio in time for the start of Race 3 next week.
Ending the race is this way is a standard procedure used in both ocean racing and around the cans events and is called into play by race organisers who must ensure they meet the goals of the teams, the spectators and the overall event.
The decision is not one that was taken lightly. In all around the world yacht races, the first priority is the safety of the crews and their boats and this is most certainly the case with the Clipper Race. Race 3 is due to start on Tuesday 27 October and it is important from the point of view of good seamanship that the teams get the opportunity to prepare themselves and their boats correctly for the next stage of the race, which will take them towards the Southern Ocean on the way to Cape Town, South Africa.
Qingdao and Hull & Humber are expected to arrive at the marina tomorrow (Wednesday), while Uniquely Singapore, Edinburgh Inspiring Capital and California look likely to arrive on Friday. giving them just four days to prepare for sea again and highlights why the organizers took the decision to end the race now.
Jim Dobie, skipper of Uniquely Singapore commented “It's never nice not to go through a finish line and to still have to motor/sail a few days to get to your destination, but I fully support the race committee's decision and understand why there was the need. This race has been a tough one, not from the physical side but from the mental high's and lows and the agonizing play of events.” However, Jim ends with a positive, saying, ‘Watch out. The red boat is up for revenge!”
On board Edinburgh Inspiring Capital, a similar mood prevails, Skipper Matt Pike reported “It’s been a long hard race and the work the crew have put in does not reflect on our finishing position. We have had setbacks with gear failure and some very fickle winds. But we will learn from our mistakes and be ready for the sprint to Cape Town.”
What can be guaranteed is the warmth of the welcome the crews of these boats will receive from their competitors as they finally step ashore and begin to appreciate the scale of their achievement. They have all just sailed one of the major oceans of the world!
Information from Clipper Round the World Yacht Race
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