michael's round the world adventure

Race 11, Day 4. Cork Clipper Blog. Mike Lewis.

I’m sorry to report on another frustrating leg for Cork Clipper, heading up from New York to Cape Breton Island. What had seemed initially to be a race that we could really compete in, has turned into a light airs drag race in which the Clipper 68’s can once more utilise their lighter weight and greater sail area over our steel hulled Challenge 67’, and pull out big leads over us.

But to step back a bit… When last I wrote, we were still racing from Jamaica up to New York, and hoping for a result in that race. Unfortunately, as the winds died off, we dropped steadily back from the rest of the fleet, until it began to look like we would not make it into New York in time to depart for the start of this race. So it was that, when the race committee offered to award us the points for tenth place at that point, thus allowing us to use the engine in light winds to get us to New York more quickly, that we accepted with heavy hearts. As a racing team, it was the last thing we wanted, but common sense had to prevail and, with Race 10 effectively over for us, it was time to concentrate on making the start of Race 11. So it was that we motored when it was quicker to do so, and sailed when there was sufficient wind to keep good speed. We made it to New York on time, and were able to enjoy a couple of days there in advance of our departure on Race 11.

Race 11 started positively for Cork Clipper. With wind speeds of up to 30 knots, from just forward of the beam, we were able to stay in touch with the Clipper yachts for longer than we have become accustomed to. During the first night, we pushed the boat hard, and she pushed us back just as hard! With severe storm warnings coming from New York, we were ready for anything, and got through plenty of sail changes as the conditions changed. During my watches first watch of the night, we first poled out the Yankee 2, then brought that down and hoisted the heavyweight kite. We stayed put for as long as it took to get the anti-wrap net up, and then the wind shifted sufficiently that we needed to gybe the boat. Kev, who was supposed to be getting some sleep after being on Mother Watch, made the mistake of offering to help out early on, and ended up on deck for over 2 hours! Eventually, just before we went off watch, everything appeared settled. Marco’s watch had to work just as hard though, as they went through similar manoeuvres to keep the boat rigged correctly for the conditions. Kites were dropped, Yankees raised, then lowered in preference for Yankees of different sizes. All in an attempt to keep the masthead lights of the Clipper 68’s in view of our big steel bus.

The effort paid off, and the first set of scheds to come through brought smiles all round. We weren’t sitting last on the water – we were actually ahead of Qingdao. And our crude corrected time calculations actually put us in first overall. Unfortunately, the wind was to prove cruel once more. As the wind strength dropped through 20 knots and down to 10 knots, our pace was slowed dramatically. We kept Qingdao at bay for a time, but they inevitably overtook us, as the rest of the fleet also pulled away. The light winds have stayed with us, and Hull and Humber are now in the lead and over 100 miles ahead of us. Having raced for around 72 hours now, we have an accrued handicap time of around 6 hours over the rest of the fleet. Unfortunately, our chances of covering more than 100 miles in any 6 hour period are pretty slim right now!


We are, however, still in contention against Qingdao, Jamaica, and possibly even against Edinburgh. And the wind can be a fickle mistress, so we will keep ourselves as close as possible to the rest of the fleet to take advantage of any changes in conditions that might benefit us. As usual, we will continue to push the boat as hard as she can be pushed. We are certainly looking forward to the break in Cape Breton – at the moment the boat is being something of a drain on resources. With watermaker issues (we have plenty in the tanks for this voyage, but are going to need the watermaker working for the Atlantic crossing), deck gear starting to show the strain already in the form of multiple sheave breakages, and most recently a detached heads outlet pipe (dealt with very bravely by Tom, Marco, Helen, Orla and Hannah – not a pleasant job), our off watches are becoming almost as busy as the on watch. At the very least, we have the target of arriving in Cape Breton on Friday so that Hugh can celebrate his birthday ashore! 


Slan agus beannacht!