7th & 8th October

LEG 1, RACE 2: PORTIMAO PORTUGAL TO PUNTA DEL ESTE, URUGUAY

In James' second blog from the Portugal to Uruguay Race, he gives us an insight into Race tactics, improving 'Imagine Your Korea's' Race position and a novel attempt for Race gains following in America's Cup foiling catamaran footsteps. 

Countdown

LEG 1, RACE 2: PORTIMAO PORTUGAL TO PUNTA DEL ESTE, URUGUAY

In James' latest blog he gives us an insight into crossing of the Equator and the King Neptune rituals that ensued - legendary amongst sailors and the Clipper Race!

Written 1/10/19 just north of the Equator then the day after the crossing on 3/10/19.

Mindfulness

In this blog James gives us an update as to how travelling through the Doldrums is going, facing 36 degree heat and flying fish! 

Steelmonkey

Our Brand Ambassador James gives us his first Clipper Race update from Race 1  - St Katharines's Docks London, to Portimao, Portugal...

Organisation

Over the last couple of days all of us on board are starting to adjust to life on board. A few small but important differences from training. Hot bunking isn’t as bad as it sounds. It is even quite civilised with a friendly bunk buddy. We tidy the space when we get up. Everything in the one locker, the bag rolled up and at the foot of the bed, your buddies placed ready. 

The sixteenth year of partnership between the Clipper Race and Marlow Ropes will be marked with a shift towards a greener future. The world's first mooring line to be made from 100 percent recycled plastic bottles, Marlow Ropes Blue Ocean Dockline, has been rolled out across the fleet of 70ft racing yachts for the start of the biennial round the world yacht race.

It's the start of a new Clipper Race edition and with the 2019-20 Race starting in just under a week (1st September) we've been busy fulfilling and delivering the rope order and providing splicing training for the fleet's on-board bosuns. The 12 bosuns got to grips with a D2 Eye Splice and learnt some further techniques including handy fastenings.

This is it: Liverpool (UK), Punta del Este (Uruguay), Cape Town (South Africa), Fremantle/Sydney/Hobart/Airlie Beach (Australia), Sanya/Qingdao (China), Seattle (USA), Panama, New York (USA), Derry-Londonderry (Ireland), and back to Liverpool (UK)! 

Over 40 000 nautical miles later, I am here sitting on the dock in Liverpool where it all began 11 months ago surrounded by my wife and family and the many friends I have made throughout this amazing adventure.

¡ESPECTACULAR!

No pude encontrar ninguna otra palabra para describir este cruce transatlántico. De principio a fin, la carrera ha sido absolutamente espectacular.

Nueva York fue una absoluta delicia. Tuve la suerte de tener a mi esposa y mi familia por un par de días, lo que siempre trae un impulso de energía. Energía que definitivamente necesitaba para la próxima etapa final de este viaje alrededor del mundo.

Hola chicos,

Hola chicos,

Espero que todo este bien. La carrera enfermiza s (n) ha terminado y terminamos con un bello segundo lugar y 3 puntos de bonificación. Un gran resultado que nos sitúa a solo 6 puntos de Qingdao y el 2º lugar en general.

Si crees que los vientos ligeros significan una navegación fácil, no del todo. Hicimos más cambios de velas que nunca para tratar de sacar el máximo provecho de las caladas que recibimos. La paciencia fue clave en esta carrera y la decisión del Comité de Regatas de acortar la carrera hasta ese punto proporcionó un final muy emocionante y agotador con 9 de los 11 barcos que terminaron a unas horas o minutos de diferencia.