GREAT Britain claims line honours in the PSP Logistics Panama 100 Cup
by Clipper Ventures 6 May 2014 13:37 BST
6 May 2014
GREAT Britain claimed top spot last night in Race 11 of the world's longest ocean race - The PSP Logistics Panama 100 Cup from San Francisco to Panama, following another tense final few days tussle with Henri Lloyd.
Following more than two weeks racing in challenging light and variable winds, intense squalls and soaring temperatures, GREAT Britain and Henri Lloyd started the final days racing neck and neck. GREAT Britain found the better winds to take a commanding final margin and crossed the Farallones Finish Line off the coast of Central America at 17:16 UTC, ahead of Henri Lloyd which finished second at 19:53 UTC.
Jamaica Get All Right also fought a rousing finish line pursuit, finishing just two miles behind Henri Lloyd in third at 20:44 UTC.
After claiming its fifth line honours title of the Clipper 2013-14 Race, GREAT Britain skipper Simon Talbot remarked: "What can I say, yet another absolute nail biter! After leading the pack for the majority of the race, our nemesis Henri Lloyd fought back hard to pip us through Remedios gate yesterday, triggering the fight back of the century on board GREAT Britain as we made for the finish line.
"The team worked tirelessly over the last 24 hours, coaxing out whatever boat speed we could from the almost non-existent wind until it finally filled in this morning, allowing us to make our final charge for the finish line to take first place in the PSP Logistics Panama 100 Cup. A monumental result and the perfect reward for the team's ceaseless hard work over the last 16 days. Outstanding."
Frank Dixie, Managing Director, PSP Worldwide Logistics applauded the race winners as he said: "Congratulations to Simon Talbot and his crew on board GREAT Britain for securing victory in the PSP Logistics Panama 100 Cup.
"Obviously we would have loved to see our own team on the podium for this race but, as a British company if we had to choose another, it would have been GREAT Britain so we're absolutely delighted for them. I trust the team will find a suitable home for our trophy at No. 10 Downing Street."
The Clipper Race Committee shortened the Race 11 course in line with the sailing instructions, and announced the new Farallones Finish Line on Sunday morning. The decision was taken after it was advised of maintenance work that is being undertaken on the Panama Canal locks over the coming weeks, the lighter than expected wind strengths on this section of the race and then need to maintain the overall race schedule.
Team Garmin narrowly missed out on its first podium spot, finishing in fourth place at 21:59 UTC, to record its joint highest race position since Race 1 to Brest, France in September 2013. Old Pulteney finished fifth this morning at 05:16 UTC.
While the rest of the fleet pushes on to the Farallones Finish Line, the teams who have completed Race 11 have now started motor sailing to the Panama Canal. Teams are expected to start transiting the canal from May 10th before starting Race 12 – a 590 mile sprint race to Jamaica on May 14th.
To view the rest of the Clipper Race fleet's progress in Race 11 – the PSP Logistics Panama 100 Cup, visit www.clipperroundtheworld.com/race-standings