Please select your home edition
Edition
Crewsaver 2021 Safetyline LEADERBOARD

BT Global Challenge, fleet close after collision

by Bt Global Challenge Media on 20 Feb 2001
Spirit of Hong Kong leads the fleet but only 2 miles separates the first 6 yachts as Quadstone and Save the Children remain in Wellington following a start line collision.

As expected the wind died overnight hitting Norwich Union and Veritas badly with light winds and a strong foul tide, although they have picked up speed again now and are regaining some of their lost miles. The yachts further north, who initially lost miles getting there, have seen the biggest gains by sailing in stronger wind and less tide, although some of these gains are being lost as they also run out of wind.

The weather forecast suggests that the most favourable route is to the north of the direct line to Sydney, slightly away from the predicted centres of the high pressure. This should favour the more northerly yachts once they are away from the influence of the land, however during today the land should heat up enough to generate a day breeze benefiting the yachts closest to the coast.

Already there seems to be a split in the yachts with Norwich Union and Veritas staying south perhaps hoping for a day breeze, while the majority of the fleet are heading more to the north of the route. LG FLATRON are in-between following their usual tactic, which has worked well so far, of heading directly towards the finish and travelling fewer miles.

Following a serious collision, less than two hours after the start of the race, Quadstone and Save the Children returned to Wellington for haul outs and surveys to assess the damage. Quadstone skipper Alex Phillips had tried to duck Save the Children, which was on starboard tack but had been unable to get his yacht to bear away. The surveys should be finished tomorrow (Tuesday) but it is not clear when the yachts will be able to depart for Sydney.

The overall lead position is between Spirit of Hong Kong and LG FLATRON who will be concentrating on trying to beat each other but with the demise of Quadstone, 3rd place overall is up for grabs with 6 yachts within 3 points of each other. We can therefore expect continued close racing all the way to Sydney as long as the wind does not desert the fleet completely.

Latest rankings, 07:45 GMT - 19/02/01

1 Spirit of Hong Kong - 1066 miles to finish
2 LG FLATRON +0 miles to leader
3 TeamSpirIT +1
4 Logica +2
5 Compaq +2
6 BP +2
7 Olympic Group +3
8 Isle of Man +5
9 VERITAS +17
10 Norwich Union +19

Quadstone & Save the Children - returned to Wellington for repairs.

Related Articles

The power of tech
What is the cost of safety? How do you measure it? More importantly, how do you appreciate it? What is the cost of safety? How do you measure it? More importantly, how do you appreciate it?
Posted on 2 Jul
Jazz Turner Faces Everything and Rises
Non-stop, solo, unassisted British Isles navigation has captivated sailors & non-sailors alike Jazz Turner's Project FEAR, her non-stop, solo, unassisted navigation of the British Isles in her Albin Vega 27ft yacht has captivated sailors and non-sailors alike.
Posted on 2 Jul
GKSS Match Cup Sweden & Nordea Women's Trophy D3
Surprise exits in Marstrand as Quarter-Finalists decided The qualifying round-robin stages at GKSS Match Cup Sweden in Marstrand finished today with the surprise departure of defending champion USA's Chris Poole/ Riptide Racing and Switzerland's Eric Monnin/ Capvis Swiss Match Racing Team from the Open Class.
Posted on 2 Jul
Rolex TP52 Worlds in Cascais Day 1
Sled sparkle in Cascais' Atlantic surf to lead After seemingly being starved of boisterous top end conditions for some years now Okura's Sled crew have been relishing a return to big breezes and big waves.
Posted on 2 Jul
Europe Masters Championships at Hayling Day 1
The Brits showed the fleet their experience in Hayling Bay It was with some relief that the rain came overnight and the morning of the 2nd July was showery, grey but importantly much cooler, a big change to the last few days.
Posted on 2 Jul
2025 IKA Youth Europeans in Gizzeria day 1
Rising stars shine at Youth Kitefoil Euros kickoff Some of the world's best young kite foilers started racing today in southern Italy aiming to become Youth European champions.
Posted on 2 Jul
UK Snipes set for record attendance at Stone
Already there are 27 Snipes entered which includes 5 women and 4 junior helms There will be a record number (for many years) of Snipes participating in the Stone Sailing Club open meeting on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th July which will be run in conjunction with the Shearwater Class open.
Posted on 2 Jul
Salcombe Merlin Rocket Week Day 4
Random gusts from every direction, including vertical Past the halfway stage and the weather served up another wind direction for the fourth day of Helly Hansen Salcombe Merlin Week.
Posted on 2 Jul
Rolex Fastnet Race: Offshore classics set to race
IRC Zero has a rich seam of ocean-going history running through it IRC Zero has a rich seam of ocean-going history running through it. While French round the world race legend Jean-Luc Van Den Heede (aka VDH) isn't competing in the Rolex Fastnet Race, two of his former steeds will be on the IRC Zero start line.
Posted on 2 Jul
Four days to start the 5th AEGEAN 600
The fleet has a wide range of sizes and types represented Nearly all 60 teams are assembled here at the Olympic Marine venue getting ready for the start of the 5th edition of the AEGEAN 600, organized by the Hellenic Offshore Race Club (HORC) with co-organizers being Olympic Marine and Region of Attica.
Posted on 2 Jul