2:46 PM Sun 3 Jan 2010 GMT
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'20100103 Copyright Clipper Ventures PLC 2010 ? Free for editorial use image, please credit: Clipper Ventures PLC.
Cape Breton Island skippered by Jan Ridd sail out to sea as they leave Geraldton, Western Australia for Singapore at the start of race 5 in the Clipper 09/10 Round the World Yacht Race.'
Clipper Ventures PLC ©
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Geraldton, Western Australia
In near perfect conditions with a strong southerly breeze blowing 14-20 knots, Cape Breton Island, one of ten yachts competing in the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race, has begun Race 5 to Singapore. Spirit of Australia was first across the line to the delight of the home crowd as hundreds of spectators lined the breakwater in Geraldton Western Australia to see the race start.
Speaking ahead of the start, Cape Breton Island's skipper, Jan Ridd, said, "This could potentially be quite a frustrating race, especially in the latter stages with the forecasted light winds but it's one we're looking forward to getting our teeth into. It will require a lot of hard work and concentration as I think the crew will find the heat and light winds a real challenge. We've had a little chat about it today and we're changing the watch system to shorter watches so that the crew have a shorter period in which to keep focussed."
The high temperatures will certainly be a shock to the system for police officer Dan McCarthy. The Cape Breton Island crew member has flown over from the team's home port where temperatures are regularly below zero at this time of the year. Having swapped the red serge of his Royal Canadian Mounted Police uniform for ocean racing oilskins the 52-year-old is looking forward to the challenges of the race ahead.
"I'm excited about getting out there and to finally get racing. Western Australia has been very nice but the main objective is to get out on the water and do our best against the other nine teams.
"It's very important for me to be representing my home island on the race," he says. "I've been living in Cape Breton for the past 28 years so I'm extremely proud to be an ambassador for the island in this race."
Spirit of Australia was followed across the line by California and their closest rivals, Team Finland, with only three points separating the Finns and the Aussies on the overall leader board. Chasing the front three and in order across the line were Cape Breton Island, Uniquely Singapore, Edinburgh Inspiring Capital, Jamaica Lightning Bolt, Cork, Ireland, Hull & Humber and Qingdao.
By the time the fleet rounded the first mark, Hull & Humber had moved into third place with Spirit of Australia holding the lead and the Californian entry staying in second place. As the fleet headed out to sea the crews, who come from all walks of life, were just getting their spinnakers ready for hoist as the boats disappeared from view.
Race 5 is one of the most interesting and varied races of Clipper 09-10. The initial part will deliver some very high average speeds as the teams head north across the Indian Ocean. Approaching Christmas Island the conditions will then change quite dramatically as they sail across the Monsoon Trough, an area similar to the Doldrums where the winds will drop and temperatures will soar. The course routes the teams through the Java Sea via the Sunda Straits where there will be consistent headwinds for the last stage to Singapore.
Race Director, Joff Bailey, says, "The crews face a number of challenges on this race and the winner will be the team that can quickly exit the light patch of winds and get themselves into the steady airflow further north. The boats will also be crossing the Equator again and the new crew joining for this leg will have to meet King Neptune just before the finish."
The fleet will arrive at Marina at Keppel Bay, Singapore, in a spectacular and colourful welcome ceremony on the morning of Saturday 23 January. During the stopover in Singapore the ten yachts will be berthed at the multi-million dollar facility, the centre-piece of Keppel Bay's premier waterfront precinct - the only residential development in Singapore to have its own world-class marina on its own private five-hectare island. It is owned by Keppel Corporation, Team Sponsor of Uniquely Singapore.
Cape Breton Island's progress can be followed on the race viewer at
www.clipperroundtheworld.com
by Clipper Ventures
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