The Times Clipper 2000 - The Algarve to Cuba

by Sue Warden Owen on 14 Nov 2000 The eight-strong Clipper fleet of Bristol, Glasgow, Jersey, Leeds, London, Liverpool, Plymouth and Portsmouth, are now spread out in a north-south front of massive 7 degrees and 49’ of latitude - 469 nautical miles.

Anything could happen over the next week as they converge on the Grand Bahama Channel for their run into Cuba and the completion of this important first leg in The Times Clipper 2000.

Whereas Glasgow Clipper, skippered by Ed Green, managed 101 miles over the last 12 hours, Liverpool Clipper has had a disappointing time and Stuart Jenkins, skipper, reports that they were totally becalmed for 6 hours, managing only 10 miles over a nine-hour period. This is a particularly bitter pill for them as 24 hours ago they were in third place and could see Jersey Clipper only 9 miles astern of them. This morning they have a massive 32 mile deficit to get back from the crew skippered by local Jersey man Paul de la Haye, and are now in fifth place behind Plymouth Clipper whose 12 hour run saw them gain a place as they clocked up 79 nautical miles.

Most of the yachts will have their hard luck stories, but skipper Martin Clough and the crew of Portsmouth Clipper will be coming to terms with having slipped from their 1st place which had been largely maintained since Vilamoura. 9 days ago they had an impressive 86 mile lead to protect their first place. Now they trail Bristol Clipper, winners of race 1 from Portsmouth to the Algarve, by 44 miles.