Happenings

The latest events from the world of Yachting.

June 11, 2010

20100606 Copyright Clipper Ventures PLC 2010© Free for editorial use image, please credit: Clipper Ventures PLC Hull & Humber sailing underneath the Brooklyn Bridge at the end of race 10 from Port Antonio, Jamaica to New York. All eyes will be on Canadian entry, Cape Breton Island, as the home port curse appearing to have its hold across the fleet, the Canadian team will be hoping to be the first to achieve the elusive accolade of winning into their home port, something which has eluded Spirit of Australia, Uniquely Singapore, Qingdao, California and Jamaica Lightning Bolt. The race is contested by ten identical stripped down 68-foot racing yachts, each sponsored by a city, region or country. Clipper was founded by sailing legend Sir Robin Knox Johnston and the Clipper 09-10 race will be the seventh time his teams of amateur sailors will circumnavigate the planet. The Clipper 09-10 route has taken them from the Humber to La Rochelle to Rio de Janeiro and South Africa. The rest of the route consists of Western Australia, Singapore, Qingdao, California, Panama, Jamacia, New York, Cape Breton Island, Cork and then back to the Humber, where they are due to arrive on 17 July 2010. For media information contact: Heather Ewing: Email: hewing@clipper-ventures.com Telephone : office: +44 (0) 2392 526000; mobile: +44 (0) 7792 408 695 Zoe Williamson: Email: zwilliamson@clipper-ventures.com Telephone: office: +44 (0) 2392 526000; mobile: +44 (0) 7793 417 751 www.clipperroundtheworld.com For further Clipper 09-10 Round The World Race images please visit: http://www.w-w-i.com/clipper_0910_race/ If you require a higher resolution image or you have any other photographic enquiries, please contact: World Wide Images on +44 (0)1753 851 444 or email info@w-w-i.com. This image is copyright the photographer 2010©. This image has been supplied by Clipper Ventures PLC and must be credited Clipper Ventures PLC. The author is asserting his full Moral rights in relation toClipper Ventures PLC

The Clipper Round the World race is currently underway. The boats are on Leg 7 of their adventure, and yesterday finished the race from New York City to Cape Brenton Island, Nova Scotia. The vessel Hull & Humber, one of the English entries, took line honors, with Spirit of Australia coming in second, and it was so-close-but-yet-so-far for the vessel Cape Brenton Island, who was not able to win the race in their home port (which no Clipper boat has been able to do) and came in third. The next portion of Leg 7 is a 2,185-mile shot across the Atlantic to Cork, Ireland. To follow the race visit www.clipperroundtheworld.com.

The Talisker Bounty Boat, a 25-foot long, 7-foot wide, open sailboat that is currently traveling from Tonga to the island of Timor in a recreation of the 4,000-nautical-mile voyage made by William Bligh, has nearly completed their journey. After 43 days at sea, the crew is expected to reach the city of Kupang on Timor in about five days. However, the adventure isn't over yet. Last night, with steady winds and confused seas, the vessel was struck by a large wave and suffered a knock down. Acting quickly, the crew was able to bail the boat out and right themselves, and the four-man crew pushes on. To follow their journey, visit www.taliskerbountyboat.com

The waters of Narragansett Bay will be bustling next week when the Newport Bermuda Race kicks off on Friday. There will be 196 vessels on the starting line, but there will be one familiar face missing. The U.S. Coast Guard vessel Juniper has fired the starting gun from her deck since the starting line was moved to one-half mile off of Castle Hill Lighthouse. However, Juniper will not be present this year due to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The firing gun will come from the deck of the Bill Langan designed sailing vessel Axia. For more information on the race, and to follow the racers progress, visit www.bermudarace.com

At just 16 years old Abby Sunderland set out to become the worlds youngest solo circumnavigator surpassing her brother who accomplished the feat at the age of 17. Abby's vessel a Jutson-designed Open 40, Wild Eyes, was caught in dangerous sea conditions and suffered numerous knockdowns. Her support crew lost contact with her and she activated her emergency beacon (EPIRB). Abby was alone in the middle of the Indian Ocean facing life and death circumstances. Abby has been found and is awaiting rescue at the time of this writing. The Guinness Book of World Record has discontinued allowing minors to be in their records because of the dangerous circumstance that could arise. Do you think she should have been allowed to attempt this feet? Let us here what you have to say, send an email to editor@yachtingmagazine.com.