Liverpool Clipper 08 still in with a chance in around the world yacht race

May 26 2008 by Liza Williams, Liverpool Daily Post

08 clipper

LIVERPOOL’S entry in the Clipper around the world yacht race is still in with a chance of a podium place in the competition, according to the team’s skipper.

As he prepared to go into the 11th stage of the race on Saturday, Ben Galloway said the team – currently in fifth place – could climb up the rankings to a top spot.

Yachts in the race, which began in Liverpool eight months ago and is due to finish in the city in July, are currently travelling between Jamaica and New York.

Nova Scotia led the fleet across the start line at the beginning of race 11 to the American city on Saturday, several boat lengths ahead of the following group of Durban 2010 and Beyond, Liverpool 08, New York and Hull & Humber.

All 10 of the yachts crossed the start line within two minutes.

Hull & Humber currently leads the overall standings with 72 points, 3½ points ahead of New York, with the Glasgow: Scotland in third place on 63 points. Four races remain in the 14-race series, which will finish on July 5 in Liverpool as part of Capital of Culture year.

Preparing to leave Port Antonio, where the fleet has been enjoying Jamaican hospitality since their arrival two days ago, Mr Galloway said: “We can still do it, can’t we? As for tactics in this race . . . I think we did really well getting in here.

“It’s quite a short race again, so there’s not a lot of time to go off and do anything clever, so I think we’re going to stay with the pack this time and out-sail everybody.”

The 1,420-mile race to New York, the latest stage of the 35,000-mile circumnavigation, will take them past the island of Cuba and up the east coast of North America, following the Gulf Stream current.

Joff Bailey, race director, said: “We’ve had a great stopover in Jamaica and everyone is looking forward to this race.

“The skippers are all fired up for this last leg, pushing for the last points that will secure the podium positions. The winds will be light for the first part of the race but once the fleet gets north of the Bahamas, it will be a great sail up to New York.”

The fleet is due to arrive in New York on June 1.

lizawilliams