Thursday, April 7, 2011

DUFOUR 41

Boat: DUFOUR 41

Builder: Dufour Yachts (FRA)

Designer: Michel Dufour

More: DUFOUR 41 Specifications

News:

Times Clipper 2000 - Race 15 Update


Author: Event Press

STRATEGIC BATTLE OF NORTH / SOUTH DIVIDE

  • The winning Skipper of Race 15 will be presented with a Rolex Watch presented by Heddich Jewellers in Jersey www.hettichjewellers.com
  • The Times Clipper 2000 use navigational publications, charts and ARCS electronic charts produced by the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office

Early split by race leaders spurs strategic competition in penultimate race leg of The Times Clipper 2000 Round the World Yacht Race.

The thinking caps have been on in the fleet and the Skippers and crew are coming out with some very different answers to the same problem of how to prevent Jersey from a running away victory. Interestingly Jersey has made a conscious move to the south just as the main pack has moved north. This has given a total reversal of the position we have seen over the last four days.

Glasgow, Bristol and Portsmouth have moved up to the north and the first two have passed Liverpool who has not been tempted by the higher latitudes. Bristol has eased into second place but is now one of the two boats exposed to the extremes of a flank. They are currently 15 miles north of Glasgow and a massive 75 miles north of front-runner Jersey.

Meanwhile, down in the south, Leeds and Plymouth have fanned out to the north leaving Stuart Gibson and his London crew loyal to their southerly crusade.

Who is right and why? London's approach would appear the most logical and conventional; but are conditions normal with a large high-pressure area well north in the Atlantic? It is certainly not going to be a clear-cut passage for them even though they will get an advantage from riding the Gulf Stream. Bob Beggs in Bristol does not appear to trust the indecisive weather in the south and wants to get as far north and as close to some good depressions as he can. Bristol always seems to profit when they find stronger winds but there is a big element of gamble at leaving Jersey unmarked in the middle ground.

Yesterday saw a big change in the weather as the low pressure and associated front passed over the fleet. The wind veered from the SE to the WNW and picked up to 30 knots or more to give most boats some exciting sailing. For Matt Baker and the crew of Plymouth this was rather too exciting as they ripped part of the spinnaker pole track off the mast with the result that the pole went through the mainsail. Things always happen in threes and true to form they developed serious problems with their steering gear while a 50-foot whale decided to give them the pleasure of its company. Details of the whale are unavailable as the crewmember who tried to photograph it was quickly re-briefed on his priorities. Meanwhile, it is back to some inspired sail repairing and metal bashing for the Plymouth crew as they make running repairs.

The centre of the depression passed right over Leeds, Plymouth and London giving them some spooky and frustrating calms before the wind filled in again. London came out worse and this, and along with her southerly position, means that she has dropped back. Leeds has been plugging away in a spirited fashion and has been rewarded with some good daily runs and is now back in the running.

The metrological predictions show that the weather will not have any dramatic turns in the next few days and that the boats may be frustrated by some light tail winds. Leeds Skipper Simon Rowell presently reports the wind is 15 knots from the WNW, cloud is 4/8, visibility is good and there are some isolated showers.

The sixth and final crew leg of the 35,000 mile circumnavigation set sail from Salvador, Brazil on the 29th July 2001 and covers a distance of approximately 7,100 miles, over some 8 weeks, on its return journey to Portsmouth, via New York and Jersey. The eight-strong fleet are expected to arrive in the Channel Islands on Monday 17th September, where they will enjoy a high-profile event schedule during the 3-day race stopover in Jersey before the final sprint to Portsmouth.

Southsea seafront will provide an ideal viewing platform for the race finish from 10:00 (BST) onwards on Friday 21st September 2001, with the spectacular homecoming celebrations to be held throughout the weekend at Portsmouth's world-class shopping and leisure waterfront 'Gunwharf Quays'.

More Information:

  • YachtsandYachting.com Clipper 2000 Round the World Yacht Race Page

See also: DUFOUR 40E for sale