Derry's Sean McCarter Ready for First Big Ocean Crossing in Clipper Race to Rio

9th September 2013

#clipper – The twelve yachts competing in the world's longest ocean race have started their 5,000 mile Atlantic Ocean crossing to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, off the French Brittany coast today.

Henri Lloyd under skipper Eric Holden crossed the line first ahead of GREAT Britain, followed by Derry~Londonderry~Doire, on a close-hauled start.

But it was Derry~Londonderry~Doire that was first round the windward mark followed by Henri Lloyd and PSP Logistics; GREAT Britain opted to take a penalty 720 degree turn (making two turns in the same direction), after touching the mark.

Race director Justin Taylor said: "Three minutes before the start, the yachts were fully powered up and as the wind got up, the boats that benefitted were the ones with a reef in."

The new generation of Clipper 70s are embarking on their first big ocean crossing, sailing to 2016 Olympic host city Rio in Brazil to complete Leg 1 after a short stopover in Brest, France.

Legendary British yachtsman, Clipper Race Founder and Chairman, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston said: "Tactically, the Doldrums is where Race 2 is likely to be decided. The teams will have to ensure they maintain concentration and keep the boat moving.

"Between the flat calms and the squalls, the lack of wind will be frustrating at times but how they perform at this stage of the race will be worth watching as it could make a big difference to the final positions."

Sean McCarter, Skipper of Derry~Londonderry~Doire said ahead of Race 2 this afternoon, "There is a really good feeling on board as we do our final preparations and prepare to say goodbye to dry land for the next 11 months.

"We are very happy with our boat and can't wait to get out there and start testing ourselves as well as the yacht."

After a stopover at Marina da Gloria, Rio, the fleet will then continue on via South Africa, Western Australia, Sydney (including the world famous Rolex Sydney Hobart Race), Brisbane, Singapore, China, San Francisco, Panama, Jamaica, New York, Derry Londonderry and the Netherlands before returning to London's St Katharine Docks for Race Finish in July 2014.

The fleet will not be returning to the UK until July 2014 after a total of 670 crew race 40,000 miles and visit 15 ports on six continents.

Designed to provide everyone – regardless of sailing experience – the chance to race across oceans and taste the exhilaration of completing a circumnavigation, the Clipper Race has turned over 3,500 novices into ocean racers since its inception in 1995.

The leaderboard going into Race 2 to Rio is as follows:
1. Invest Africa 12 points
2. Great Britain 11 points
3. Qingdao 10 points
4. Team Garmin 9 points
5. PSP Logistics 8 points
6. One DLL 7 points
7. Switzerland 6 points
8. Henri Lloyd 5 points (joint)
8. Derry~Londonderry~Doire 5 points (joint)
10. Jamaica 3 points
11. Old Pulteney 2 points
12. Mission Performance 1 point

Published in Clipper Race

Tagged under

Clipper Round The World Race

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About the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race

The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is undoubtedly one of the greatest ocean adventures on the planet, also regarded as one of its toughest endurance challenges. Taking almost a year to complete, it consists of eleven teams competing against each other on the world’s largest matched fleet of 70-foot ocean racing yachts.

The Clipper Race was established in 1996 by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first person to sail solo, non-stop, around the world in 1968-69. His aim was to allow anyone, regardless of previous sailing experience, the chance to embrace the thrill of ocean racing; it is the only event of its kind for amateur sailors. Around 40 per cent of crew are novices and have never sailed before starting a comprehensive training programme ahead of their adventure.

This unique challenge brings together everyone from chief executives to train drivers, nurses and firefighters, farmers, airline pilots and students, from age 18 upwards, to take on Mother Nature’s toughest and most remote conditions. There is no upper age limit, the oldest competitor to date is 76.

Now in its twelfth edition, the Clipper 2019-20 Race started from London, UK, on 02 September 2019.