Gold Coast Australia. Photo onEdition.
Visit Finland first to start ocean sprint in Clipper Race
The ten 68-foot matched ocean racing yachts
taking part in the Clipper 11-12 Race continue to battle it out for podium
positions in Race 11 to New York. Meanwhile, the battle to win an extra point
and cross the Ocean Sprint in the fastest time has officially
begun.
Visit Finland has
re-claimed its lead in the last 24 hours and was the first team to start the
Ocean Sprint, crossing the start line at Latitude 28 degrees north and 30
degrees north at 01:22:19 UTC. Hot on their heels was Edinburgh Inspiring
Capital, just three miles behind the Finnish entry, crossing the
latitude line at 04:31:35 UTC.
As each of the yachts enters
the Ocean Sprint phase at the set latitudes the skippers are required to report
their position and time to the Clipper Race Office within three hours of
crossing each of the relevant lines. The winner to finish in the fastest time is
awarded one point.
With just one point separating
fifth place Welcome to Yorkshire and sixth place New York on
the leader board, all of the teams will be working hard to be the fastest yacht
to the Ocean Sprint finish line and claim that valuable extra point, as the
overall leader board remains tight.
- Ruth Harrington, Clipper Ventures