Clipper Race Departs

April 20, 2012

On April 14, the Clipper Round the World Race's sojourn in Oakland ended, as the 10-boat fleet started Leg 7 bound for New York via the Panama Canal. While they were here they took part in Strictly Sail Pacific. The boat show even commissioned a beautiful silver trophy for the yacht which won the leg from Qingdao, China, to the Golden Gate Bridge. The crew of Gold Coast Australia received the cup and spoke about the race at a special celebration on Thursday night of the boat show in the Waterfront Plaza Hotel.

The crew of Gold Coast Australia at Strictly Sail Pacific with their trophy and a Proclamation from Oakland Mayor Jean Quan's office naming April 14 Strictly Sail Pacific and Clipper Race Day. ©2012 norcalsailing.com

For video of GCA's rousing arrival celebration at the docks on the night of March 30, see https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150665601778409

The fleet spent two weeks at Jack London Square, provisioning, repairing, visiting with family, changing out some of the crew, and playing tourist. Some even went skiing.

Gold Coast Australia and Singapore depart Jack London Square. ©2012 Steve Holloway

On Saturday, April 14, the fleet were escorted out the Estuary and to the San Francisco startline by the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Sockeye, the same cutter which would shortly become involved in the rescue at the Farallones.

The race re-started off Golden Gate YC's race deck at 1400 hours in a brisk northwesterly and a big sea swell. You wouldn't think they had 3,329 miles to go – three boats were over early, as if they were just doing a typical Cityfront race.

Gareth Glover, skipper of New York, describes their start: “After our best start to a race, hitting the pin end of the line at full speed with full main, staysail and Yankee 2, we ran into the shoreline, tacked for the Golden Gate Bridge and just managed to pass in front of Qingdao before we tacked over. They just got under the bridge before us by half a boat length, but as we raced out we took the lead. But this was not for too long; as the wind lightened and began to come from the stern we dropped back behind De Lage Landen and Qingdao.”

De Lage Landen chases New York in Saturday afternoon's restart. ©2012 Ariane Paul

“Welcome to Yorkshire had a great start," said skipper Rupert Dean, "timing the run to the line perfectly. With winds gusting up to 30 knots apparent, our 'Pink Lady' was well and truly powered up, flying full main, staysail and Yankee 2. Racing, therefore, required slick teamwork as we tacked swiftly onto port, then starboard on approaching the northern leg of the Golden Gate Bridge. From there the challenge was to clear the tower at Mile Rocks without tacking again, which was pretty close, but fully achieved."

The race leaders pass Mile Rock. ©2012 norcalsailing.com

The boats are now at the tip of Cabo, with Gold Coast Australia leading again. They've opted to sail closer to the coast than their competitors, even to the extent of sacrificing a scoring gate, which De Lage Landen won, gaining three points. “The wildlife close to the Mexican coast is amazing," said Gold Coast's skipper Richard Hewson, "and today we have seen numerous groups of dolphin, a turtle, a pod of whales, flying fish, squid and schools of large pelagic fish.”

To follow the race, see www.clipperroundtheworld.com.