Scoring Gate Gamble For Clipper Race Fleet

4th July 2018

Credit: Clipper Ventures

#ClipperRace - It may be the 4th of July but it’s not so much independence day for the Clipper Race fleet, as they are still racing in two fairly tight packs.

Five teams went for the Scoring Gate but with only points on offer for the first three to cross, the competition was closely fought.

Unicef was back in first place earlier today, and according to the race viewer it looked like the team’s decision to go for the Scoring Gate paid dividends.

Speaking on his birthday, Unicef’s additionally qualified person on board, Guy Waites, said: “Together we celebrated the day in style, we've gybed more times than there were candles on the cake (slight exaggeration) and just in time to pip Visit Seattle to the scoring gate.”

Nikki Henderson and her Visit Seattle team had their sights clearly on Unicef as they were just over one nautical mile behind the bright blue boat, and as of this afternoon had taken the lead by the same short distance.

They, too, went for the Scoring Gate, and being in Stealth Mode meant their sneaky progress was a surprise for their follow gate chasers. Again, official results are to be confirmed, but two bonus points will be very important to Henderson’s team, currently third on the Overall Race Leaderboard.

Skipper Nikki has high praise for the team, saying: “It felt like finally after a year's hard work training everyone - blindfolded helming, ripping spinnakers, whiteboard sessions, reef after reef after reef - and so much more, this team did some real racing. Like really classy racing - slick gybes, everyone getting involved in the tactics, a massive team effort with everyone pitching in.”

Dominic Littlewood, from Liverpool 2018, is now safely back in the UK and recovering well. His team have set sail from St John’s in Newfoundland and are now back racing.

Meanwhile, the weather has changed for the Scoring Gate pack. Rob Graham, skipper of third placed Nasdaq says: “We're now heading north-ish through some very tricky weather - big wind shifts, rain and limited visibility.”

But Clipper Race meteorologist Simon Rowell has predicted low-pressure driven wind by the end of today and looking ahead towards the end of this Race 12: LegenDerry Race, there is a strong chance of light winds.

With six days to go until the Derry-Londonderry arrival window, the race is still wide open for teams to scoop victory.

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MacDara Conroy

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MacDara Conroy is a contributor covering all things on the water, from boating and wildlife to science and business

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About the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race

The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is undoubtedly one of the greatest ocean adventures on the planet, also regarded as one of its toughest endurance challenges. Taking almost a year to complete, it consists of eleven teams competing against each other on the world’s largest matched fleet of 70-foot ocean racing yachts.

The Clipper Race was established in 1996 by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first person to sail solo, non-stop, around the world in 1968-69. His aim was to allow anyone, regardless of previous sailing experience, the chance to embrace the thrill of ocean racing; it is the only event of its kind for amateur sailors. Around 40 per cent of crew are novices and have never sailed before starting a comprehensive training programme ahead of their adventure.

This unique challenge brings together everyone from chief executives to train drivers, nurses and firefighters, farmers, airline pilots and students, from age 18 upwards, to take on Mother Nature’s toughest and most remote conditions. There is no upper age limit, the oldest competitor to date is 76.

Now in its twelfth edition, the Clipper 2019-20 Race started from London, UK, on 02 September 2019.