The Times Clipper fleet suffers general recall due to gale force winds

by UK on 8 Mar 2001 The Times Clipper 2000
Race Update - Yokohama Repairs

Race 7 of The Times Clipper 2000 Round the World Yacht Race has been
postponed until Saturday 10th March 2001, whilst repairs to the damaged
yachts take place at the Bayside Marina, Yokohama.

Race organiser Sir Robin Knox-Johnston made a general recall of The Times
Clipper 2000 fleet, following 16 hours of unrelenting winds gusting up to
storm force 10 after their departure from Yokohama on Monday 5th March.
Several of the yachts sustained damage to the heads of their mainsails and
Glasgow Clipper suffered sea water damage in the generator compartment,
however all eight yachts and crew are now safely moored once again at the
Bayside Marina. Having assessed the extent of the damage sustained by a
number of yachts, Sir Robin has confirmed that time is too limited to
continue the race as planned to Shanghai and the fleet will now sail
straight to Hong Kong. An intermediate stop at the island of Okinawa is
being considered and a decision on this will be taken shortly.

'For most of the crews, they have read about heavy weather sailing but this
is the first time that most have ever experienced it. Some were frightened,
that is natural, but all have gained confidence in themselves and their
boats from this experience. They have every reason to be proud of
themselves,' said race organiser Sir Robin Knox-Johnston.

He added, 'In normal circumstances the race would have continued but with
such repairs in Shanghai being out of the question it made sense to get the
boats into top condition again in Yokohama. The excellent Bayside Marina has
all the help needed to refettle the damage and get the race underway again
with the minimum of delay.'

It is planned that the fleet will now depart from Yokohama at 08:00 Japanese
time on Saturday 10th March.


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