Please select your home edition
Edition
Leaderboard June to September

The Clipper Race Leg 3 - Race 4, Day 10 - Squalls, sails and hail

by Clipper Round the World Race 27 Nov 2019 12:23 GMT 27 November 2019
The Clipper Race Leg 3 - Race 4, Day 10 © Clipper Race

The leading teams are reaching the midway point of Leg 3, and with Clipper Race Meteorologist, Simon Rowell, calling the weather 'fruity', there were lots of individual sail battles for the Skippers and crew to contend with.

With variable conditions, the teams needed to react quickly to the changeable weather. Says Nick Leggatt, Skipper of Zhuhai; "Quite tricky sailing these past 24 hours, with the wind varying from 15 knots to 50 knots in short bursts of intense squall activity, necessitating a lot of sail evolutions, and really making it awkward to find a good steady pace. Nonetheless the team are rising to the challenge and working tirelessly, day and night."

The squally Jekyll and Hyde weather conditions and high wind speeds have meant some teams have needed to carry out maintenance. Seattle experienced a tear in its Mainsail, which needed to be repaired in 30-35 knots of wind and Dare To Lead too experienced some Mainsail wear, having to temporarily lash its mainsail to the boom.

Says Dare To Lead Skipper, Guy Waites: "So here we are now, riding the storm with our boom lashed down to the traveller track, the Mainsail lashed to the boom as we ride the gusts of 50 knots under Yankee 3, with surfs to 20 knots. The sky scuds with cloud bringing rain, sleet and hail stones, interspersed with brilliant blue skies and crisp sunshine."

One team was definitely enjoying the surf that was whipping up around them. Currently sitting in third place on the Race 4 leaderboard, Skipper of GoToBermuda, David 'Wavy' Imelman, said it had "been a busy, wet and exhilarating 24 hours." Describing the feelings on board he said: "As the wind built, the boat speed increased and the excitement on and below deck increased. As usual cheers followed each good surf. It never gets old. A 70 foot beast flying down a wave, spray coming out the sides, the hull humming and the crew holding their breath. Helm desperately trying to prolong the surf, while also reading boat speeds. It really never gets old!"

And Skipper of Imagine your Korea, Dan Smith, celebrating a special day on board, reported in with a squall report of 70 kt gusts. He says: "With the boat screaming along at 18 knots on a trail of glowing plankton lighting up the sea, this is a good place to spend my birthday."

Unicef is now back racing, after safely getting crew member, Andrew Toms, to shore in Durban last night. The Clipper Race office expressed its gratitude to the National Sea Rescue Institute for all its support over the past few days and also to Clipper Race crew member, Rob Stewart, who kindly arranged Unicef's gas and food supplies so they could turn around quickly and head towards Fremantle.

Related Articles

Clipper 2025-26 Race to return to Puerto Sherry
After tourism boosting debut visit The Finish Line of the opening stage of the Clipper 2025-26 Round the World Yacht Race will be set against the backdrop of El Puerto de Santa María as Puerto Sherry returns as a Host Port Partner for the international sailing event. Posted on 25 Jun
Punta del Este announced as Clipper host port
4th time the city will host the Round the World Yacht Race fleet The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is set to return to Punta del Este, as the Uruguayan city is officially announced as a Host Port for the Clipper 2025-26 Race. Posted on 17 Jun
Clipper Race announces Official Logistics Supplier
Warrant Group offers a deep understanding of the complex operational demands As it gears up for its 14th edition, the Clipper Race has announced that Warrant Group will be the Official Logistics Supplier for the upcoming circumnavigation, with the UK-based firm also making its racing debut with a team entry named in its honour. Posted on 13 Jun
Clipper Race & UNICEF mark a decade of partnership
Fundraising efforts from race crew will continue to support UNICEF's work globally Today, the leading child rights organisation, UNICEF, was announced as a Team and Charity Partner of the Clipper Race once again. Posted on 6 May
Clipper Race announces line up of First Mates
Each First Mate will assist their Race Skipper in leading their teams of non-professionals The Clipper Race First Mates who will be helping to lead a team in the toughest endurance challenge on the planet have been announced. Posted on 26 Apr
Seattle set to host Clipper Race stopover
Tenth anniversary of first visit, returning with team entry Seattle is set to host the Clipper 2025-26 Race as the global sailing event has announced the city will feature on its race route. Posted on 4 Apr
Clipper Round the World Race to return to Oban
After tourism boosting debut visit last summer The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race will be returning to Oban to "bring global focus on the area as a great place to visit and invest" as the West Coast town is announced as a port on the event's 2025-26 edition. Posted on 31 Mar
Clipper Race announces its new line-up of skippers
“Sailing is a level playing field – with the ocean an equaliser” The next roster of eleven Clipper Race Skippers taking on one of the toughest jobs in sailing has been announced. Each will lead teams of non-professionals, making six ocean crossings on the 40,000 nautical mile, eleven-month race around the globe. Posted on 28 Mar
Clipper Race celebrates 30 years of adventure
One of the secrets to the success and longevity of biennial event is the highly experienced team This month marks 30 years since Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first person to sail solo, non-stop, around the world, founded the Clipper Race. Posted on 7 Mar
Clipper Race to return to Portsmouth
On the 25th anniversary of its first departure from the city When its fleet departs from Gunwharf Quays this August, the event will be celebrating two milestones - the 25th anniversary of its first departure from the city and 30 years of training people to cross oceans and sail around the world. Posted on 3 Mar