“I am delighted to learn that Hannah Jenner is available to drive Qingdao. This will be great boost to the team who have found a new taste for podiums and is keen to continue and develop that into even greater success on the next leg. Hannah is no stranger to the podium having won third overall on Glasgow, Scotland with Style in the last race. I hope my team will benefit from her great skill and maintain their momentum.”
Hannah, who had already been in San Francisco to greet the Cork Clipper and meet her new crew on their arrival through the Golden Gates, was happy to oblige and feels it will prepare her for when she takes control of the new Cork boat in for the Panama leg.
“It’s exciting to be here and I’ve now got to get my head back into race mode as I’ve been in refit mode for the last week” said Hannah. “There are a few differences between this race and Clipper 07-08 in terms of racing instructions with Scoring Gates and Stealth Modes to consider but I’m always up for a challenge and I’m definitely looking forward to this one”.
The volcanic disruption leading to the skipper substitution is only one of several natural element challenges that have affected this year’s eventful Clipper Race. In January the original Cork Clipper hit a reef in the Java Sea leaving it unsalvageable and forced the Cork Crew to split up and join other teams before they collect their new boat in Panama on the 1st of May. And it wasn’t a case of plain sailing for Cork Crew’s Gavin Kelly and Noreen Osbourne on board the California Clipper. Their 90 foot mast snapped in rolling seas in the middle of the Pacific, 2200 miles from San Francisco.
All crews were rewarded with a long stopover in San Francisco where they enjoyed a civic reception at San Francisco Yacht Club, trips to Alcatraz and even a visit from Californian
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. He commended the crews on their bravery, talent and hard work by saying,
“I applaud all the participants for putting their talents and skills to work. As a former professional athlete I know what it takes to excel in demanding sporting contests. Everyone here has trained hard to be ready for this once in a lifetime opportunity and you can be proud of what you have accomplished so far. To all the participants I wish you the best of luck and happy sailing.”
The Cork Clipper Crew’s adventures will come full circle when they sail into Kinsale for the Kinsale Festival July 2nd -7th in their new boat. Crew and supporters alike will be treated to an array of entertainment from international circus acts, food, arts and crafts stalls, tours and live music in Kinsale Square. The homecoming revelry will continue as they come into the Port of Cork in a Parade of Sail on July 7th -9th celebrated with live music and entertainment at the specially constructed Race Village in Albert Quay.
