Clipper fleet enters stealth mode to avoid pirates

The first five teams taking part in the Clipper 11-12 Race have crossed the Celebes Sea gate, entering Stealth Mode in the process. Acting upon instructions set out by the Race Committee, the ten internationally backed teams will transit in Stealth Mode through the potentially hazardous area.

“The Celebes and Sulu Seas has an increased risk of piracy. The piracy in this part of the world should in no way be linked to the piracy that you hear of on the TV near Somalia which is on an almost industrial scale,” explains Race Director, Joff Bailey.

After careful planning in conjunction with the regional Navy forces and the Royal Navy the Race Committee decided to enforce a number of precautionary measures for the Clipper Race fleet.

“Once the teams enter the Celebes Sea they will go into Stealth Mode for approximately four days whilst they cross the area of risk. The gates in which they pass will also be removed. This will prevent any clever pirate from looking at the website and following the boats.”

During this time the Race Office Team will suspend racing so that the teams can group together and cross the higher risk areas in company to significantly reduce the risk of attack. The Race Team will continue to track the yachts every hour and news from on board will be included in the daily report.

“After about four days in Stealth Mode you will see the teams pop out and start racing again in the South China Sea with approximately 900 miles of racing to complete,” adds Joff.

Gold Coast Australia were the first entry to cross the Celebes Sea gate and entered Stealth Mode at 2154 UTC.

“The timings for the first five yachts to cross the gate were very close, and the next three yachts passed the gate only a couple of hours after Derry-Londonderry,” reports skipper of the Australian entry, Richard Hewson.

“This is a fantastic achievement for us on Gold Coast Australia and we worked incredibly hard to get back to first place in a race where we have seen our fair share of problems.  Three days ago we were over 70 miles behind the leading boats with a torn mainsail and spinnaker, and now we are leading the race.  I am immensely proud of my crew who worked very hard through very difficult conditions.

“Over the past few days conditions have ranged from 40 knot squalls coming out of blue skies without a warning to pitch black sky, no wind and lots and lots of rain where the Windex would turn a full 360 degrees every minute,” continues Richard.

The temporary suspension in racing will give each entry a welcome opportunity to catch up on sleep as well as general maintenance ahead of the second phase in the race to Singapore.

“Today everybody is having a day off relaxing and enjoying the scenery of the Philippine islands as they drift by.  Tomorrow we will commence some maintenance tasks and get as much work done to the boat as possible in three days so we are ready for the final 900 mile sprint to Singapore,” signs off Richard.

Hoping to continue their excellent form is Mark Light and the crew of Derry-Londonderry, who crossed the line soon after their Australian adversaries.

“This morning, just before breakfast, we crossed the Celebes Sea gate (2314 UTC) where we officially finished the first section of Race 7. We crossed in second place about an hour and twenty minutes behind Gold Coast Australia - amazingly close after approximately 3,500 miles of ocean racing!

“This puts us in a good, strong position to consolidate and hopefully achieve a good result at the end,” continues Mark, hoping this race will deliver the team’s first podium finish.

“We now have 95 hours to transit the Celebes and Sula Seas arriving ready and recharged to re-commence racing through the South China Sea down to Singapore.

“We have had a fantastic race so far and I would like to say a huge well done to my crew, they have worked incredibly hard and deserve a podium position in Singapore.”

Joining Gold Coast Australia and Derry-Londonderry in Stealth Mode are Geraldton Western Australia, Qingdao and Singapore after the three teams enjoyed competitive racing through some challenging conditions over the last 24 hours.

- Clipper Media