The significance of the day was not lost on those taking part in Clipper 09-10 round the world yacht race as ten yachts lined up on the start line for the short sprint to Jamaica, the crew of Cork, Ireland racing together again as a single unit for the first time since their original boat ran aground in Race 5.
As the Irish team prepared to leave the marina this morning Noreen Osborne, one of Cork’s round the world crew, said, “I haven’t slept a wink. I think it’s going to be exciting to get Cork out on the water. It was a very proud moment when we came into the marina yesterday and saw her dead ahead of us in her Cork colours.
“We’ve got a full fleet leaving Shelter Bay, which is going to be pretty awesome. It’s been four months since everybody’s been together in this way and I think Cork’s going to get a great reception out on the water. I think everybody’ll be a bit emotional on board and the other crews as well; I think they’re excited for us at the same time.
“It’s a very different boat, it’s going to take us a bit of time to get used to the lay of the land and the way it works but we’ll do our very best to get out there and sail hard and sail fast. Hannah (Jenner, the skipper) is really motivated and determined and says a lot of people start to tire and slacken off at this stage but she wants to keep full throttle on so everybody, just man up and do whatever needs to be done. So it’s going to be interesting!”
Making final preparations before leaving the marina, Hannah Jenner said, “It’ll be nice to get out and get settled into it. A few people have been here for a long time and have got cabin fever, poor Orla only arrived at about midnight last night so we’ve just got to be a bit flexible about this whole thing en route to Jamaica and just figure things out as we go. There’s loads of excitement and people are really happy. I think it’s slightly overwhelming for some people but by the time we get to Jamaica we’ll be slick!”
Last to join the boat due to a longer than average transit through the Panama Canal on Cape Breton Island, Orla Mellett arrived in Shelter Bay Marina late on Friday night and her first priority was to go to see her new boat.
“She’s fantastic,” she said. “It’s great to have our own boat back again and she looks great in the water. I can’t wait to see her with the other nine boats and to be ten again. When I saw her last night I was pretty stuck for words and that’s unusual for me. To finally see her... she looks amazing.”
In addition, for the first race on the Atlantic side of the Panama Canal there was a palpable feeling that the 35,000-mile race is on the home strait. There are still six races, including this one, to be contested and competition among the fleet for the coveted podium positions and the valuable points that come with them is stronger than ever.
The teams left the marina in drenching tropical rain and zero wind and the race start line was set 50 miles from the coast of Panama. At 1831 local time (2331 GMT) Race 9 got underway with a Le Mans start in 15 knots of breeze from the north east.
All ten boats lined up for a rolling Le Mans start where the crews race to hoist their headsails in the fastest possible time.
Most of the fleet opted for their Yankee 1 with Hull & Humber, Team Finland andUniquely Singapore making cracking starts but it wasn't long before overall race leadersSpirit of Australia pushed their way through to rival Hull & Humber at the front of the pack.
The 520-mile upwind sprint to Port Antonio on Jamaica’s north coast is likely to be one of the closest of the Clipper 09-10 campaign.
For the crew of Jamaica Lightning Bolt this stage holds particular significance as it is the race to their home port. Pete Stirling, skipper of the yacht named after the fastest man on earth, said, “This is the big one – I’m actually a little bit nervous about it because there’s quite a lot of pressure on. It’s exciting but there’s probably more pressure than any previous race. Expectations are higher than ever before and we’re definitely looking for a win this time.”
The yachts passed through the Panama Canal to reach the Race 9 start line and the experience gave those on board a moment of reflection, in particular those who competing in the complete circumnavigation.
Jeremy Reed, a round the world crew member on Hull & Humber, said, “It was quite surreal when the first gate you go into closes behind you and you suddenly realise that that’s the end of the Pacific. That’s quite an emotional moment.”
He continued, “Going through the final lock was again quite emotional, when you realise that the last lock is opening on to the Atlantic and in effect you’re on your way home. But I’ve had that feeling quite often that you’re on your way home during the race – in Qingdao , that’s the furthest point east you’re going to be, then you cross the 180 degree meridian you go from the eastern hemisphere to the western hemisphere so that’s another big moment, then half way in terms of time and then distance, so there are several moments when you think you’re on your way home but this is probably the most significant one, going from the Pacific to the Atlantic.”
The race to Port Antonio, once home to Hollywood legend, Errol Flynn, is expected to take three to four days and, after the short but busy pit stop in Panama and a sprint even Jamaican hero Usain Bolt would be proud of, the teams will be able to relax and enjoy all Jamaica’s vibrant north coast has to offer.
Overall leader board after Race 8
1. Spirit of Australia
2. Jamaica Lightning Bolt 68 points
3. Team Finland
4. Cape Breton Island 59 points
5. Hull & Humber
6. Qingdao
7. Uniquely Singapore 42 points
8. Cork
9. Edinburgh Inspiring Capital 28 points
10. California
