RACING TO SAN FRANCISCO The internationally sponsored stripped down ocean racing yachts are now tackling some serious weather as they take on the 5,680 mile Pacific leg, the longest in the history of the Clipper Race. Speaking ahead of the start the skipper of California, Pete Rollason, shared his thoughts on how he and his team were going to handle the marathon crossing. “This is the leg that I’ve always been looking forward to, even before we started. It’s going to be one hell of a challenge and there is a certain amount of apprehension from the crew but they’re all up for it and what an achievement when we get there.
Qingdao stopover departure ceremony
Following a hero’’s welcome and an unforgettable stopover in the Shandong provincial city of Qingdao, China, the crews competing in the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race were treated to a spectacular send off for Race 7 of the 35,000-mile global challenge to San Francisco. As the brave sailors manned their boats and prepared to do battle with the largest ocean on the planet, thousands lined the breakwater of the Olympic Sailing Centre to send them on their way.
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Latitude 38
• April, 2010
“We hope to be top of the podium when we get to San Francisco. We want to break the home port curse and we’re going to be going all out. We’ve really performed well over the last couple of races and looking at the other boat performances we certainly seem to be the most improving team. So we’re going to give it 150 percent and hopefully make that podium and receive one heck of a reception in California.”
One of California’s competitors, Hull & Humber The race is the brainchild of legendary solo sailor, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first man to sail solo and non stop around the world. He wanted others to be able to follow in his pioneering footsteps and established the Clipper Race which to date has turned more than 2,000 people from all walks of life into experienced ocean racers. Sir Robin says, “The leg from Qingdao to San Francisco is a fascinating one. It is the longest leg in the history of the Clipper Race and to complete the Pacific in one long, five-week bite is a major challenge. When the crews arrive in San Francisco they will have sailed for a longer distance than 99.9 percent of all boat owners and it’s a magnificent ocean for the amateur crews to have in their log books.”