Start Of The Round the
World Clipper Yacht Race 07-08
Photo above of
James at the Helm of Nova Scotia, with thanks to Clipper
Ventures Plc.
ON the 15 September and 16
September the biannual Clipper Yacht Race once again was
in port at the Albert Dock and the River Mersey buzzing
with life and colour. Before setting off for the first
leg, the crews on board leg 1, massed at the Maritime
Museum for a mass crew briefing, addressed by sailing
legend and founder of the Clipper Race, Sir Robin
Knox-Johnston, who passed on a last few words of wisdom
and bid them bon voyage for the challenge that lies
ahead. The
ten Clippers, which had been berthed in the Albert Dock
all week, re-emerged into Canning Half Tide Dock, where
crowds watched as the crews of the 10 vessels made last
minute adjustments and preparations. The gaily decorated
clippers sparkled in brilliant sunshine against a
backdrop of Liverpool’s ever expanding, but still
impressive sky line, highlighted by dramatic black
clouds to the North.
Entertainers, music and live commentary helped spin the
time along until, on cue, the lock gates opened. The
Clippers, preceded by the newest Tall Ship, the stately
Mercedes, 2 Royal Naval vessels, HMS Biter and HMS
Charger, made their way through, encouraged by cheering
crowds, merry fanfares from a brass band and appropriate
music, to escape into the
Mersey. There they exercised, like energetic, exotic
water-fowl, in the steadily increasing wind, which
rapidly roughed up the Mersey into a decidedly choppy
state, under darkening skies. "Good sailing
weather", those in the know averred.
Eventually, a formation sail past took place, again led
by "Mercedes, Charger and Biter" with
Liverpool 08 leading her companions down the river
towards the Pier Head, prancing before all their
admirers. Behind them came Police and Life Boat
representation and a flotilla of other vessels including
a tug spraying water jets (felt by the watching crowds
as she passed) a ferry, an assortment of yachts and
smaller craft, ribs even jet skiers. The Clippers then
returned and positioned themselves at the Starting Line.
Helping to start the race, by pressing the fire button
of a artillery gun as the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Paul
Clarke, and 8 year old James Riley from Formby. The Gun
echoed and then they were off in earnest, the Race had
begun, a journey that will last nearly a year, until
they return to Liverpool in the midst of Liverpool’s
Capital of Culture celebrations.
First over the line and setting of on the 10 month
voyage was Durban 2010 and Beyond, closely followed by
home favourite Liverpool 08 and Hull & Humber. Bringing
up the rear, Uniquely Singapore appeared to have a
problem with her sail plan, though as the fleet headed
out of the Mersey and fanned out into the Irish Sea they
had made up some ground.
This return promises to be even more exhilarating than
previous homecomings and will be something extra to look
forward to. As they proceeded down the Mersey, it was
"Durban" who gained the first advantage.
The 10 Clippers are all identical, save for their names
and trimmings, which signify the cities or regions which
sponsor them, from across the five continents which they
will visit throughout their 10 month journey. They are
"Durban", "Glasgow",
"Hull and Humber", "Jamaica",
"Liverpool", "New York",
"Nova Scotia", "Qingdao",
"Singapore", and "Western
Australia".
Their voyage is divided into fourteen races. The first
leg, is to La Rochelle, from thence to Brazil, then
South Africa, Australia, Singapore, and China. Next,
across the Pacific via Hawaii to the American West
Coast, through the Panama Canal and via Jamaica to New
York. Then on to Canada, from where they return across
the North Atlantic to the penultimate port of Cork,
before a triumphal return to Liverpool.
This race was devised in 1995 by Sir Robin Knox-Johnson,
who became famous as the first man to sail solo and
non-stop across the World, in 1969. His vision was to
make this challenging and exciting world accessible to
those who did not have large fortunes at their disposal
but were keen and enterprising enough to try.
One of the hardest tasks each year, for those
responsible, is too sort out suitable applicants and
then to distribute those selected between the vessels,
whether they be entering one or two legs or the whole
voyage. They must take into account such factors as age,
background, and experience, weight, and occupation, for
example doctors and nurses are allocated to each in the
interests of safety and welfare. The crews are truly
international and may be allocated to any Clipper
regardless of home city. Merseysiders being well
represented throughout, we can celebrate which ever
vessel wins next year!
Not all crew members are very seasoned sailors as it is
for ammeter sailors and not professionals, but all are
well prepared for the tasks in hand before they leave
and the less proficient are guided by the well
experienced. Each must raise funds to participate.
However, those who have had experience, in previous
races, of taking a 68 foot yacht on 35,000 mile voyage,
under austere conditions (including by shift, bunk
sharing) seem to have found it a life enhancing chance
of a life time.
Not only by visiting foreign shores but also in the
camaraderie in ports between teams but with fierce
competition at sea, where team work is vital to success,
even survival.
Anyone who feels up to the challenge can apply for the
next race. To find out more and to keep up with this
race as it unfolds on the clipper
website and
also on here.
Click
here to see lots more photographs of
the race and also get our video and audio coverage.
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