LAT 11 08.0
LON 78 56.0
RACE START TIME 2330 UTC

At 2330 UTC the fleet of 10 started Race 11 of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race from Panama to New York.

LAT 9 24.7N
LONG 079 54.3W
COG 030
SOG 8.5

At 0001 Panama local time Gold Coast Australia slipped lines from Shelter Bay Marina and proceeded to sea in company with Visit Finland as we commence to chase down the rest of the fleet prior to an expected race start tomorrow.

The departure was delayed following the failure of an international carrier to deliver an engineering part to Panama from the US last week, which resulted in a Clipper Race staff member flying in from the UK last night local time with a replacement.

The gear box arrived at about 2200 at night from the UK and maintenance guru Jay Haller and I worked flat out to install the new gear box that was shipped from the UK in multiple pieces in record time.

After a few tests we slipped lines and proceeded to sea and the all systems appear normal at this stage. I am confident that we will not have any problems with the new gear box but will be monitoring it closely over the next few hours.

http://www.mysailing.com.au/news/clipper-race-richard-hewson-race-10#.T6v4ZAPg_gk.email

—
This message was sent by richhewson@gmail.com via http://addthis.com. Please note that AddThis does not verify email addresses.

Make sharing easier with the AddThis Toolbar: http://www.addthis.com/go/toolbar-em

To stop receiving any emails from AddThis please visit: http://www.addthis.com/privacy/email-opt-out?e=o33X4drnl7Ca_MHi28je5938gP_B.sr43O3d.4DrweU in your web browser.

In February 2010 I was transiting through Panama Canal in a Swan 68 called Titania heading towards the Pacific, we had been sitting in the locks for a number of hours and I began to read a certain yachting magazine from cover to cover for the umpteenth time. It was here I cam across an advert in the back. “Skippers Wanted for Round the World Yacht Race”. After about half an hour of consideration my resume was in the out box en route to Clipper Ventures. Six months later I was on a plane from Australia to England and ready to sail my skipper trial with Clipper.

For me the transit through the canal from the Pacific to the Atlantic is a major mile stone for it was here that I decided to apply for a job, and to realise a dream of sailing around the world. A dream I have had since I can remember. Now 35000nm and 9 months after race start we are nearing the closing stages of a very successful campaign and race around the world. Today the dream almost seems like a reality as we pass into an ocean that holds the pathway to our final port, Southampton.

LAT 11 25.32 N
LONG 88 48.62 W
RACE FINISHED
ETA PANAMA 06 May
COG 125
SOG 7.3

At 0844 UTC 01 MAY 12 accompanied by dolphins gliding amongst the phosphorescence, Gold Coast Australia crossed the Remedios gate in position 12 41.9N 090 37.6W. Subject to confirmation from the race office, Gold Coast Australia has now won our 8th race in the 11/12 Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.

Everybody was very excited about the win and there was a short celebration on deck including a toast to Gold Coast Australia and her crew and a few of our favourite tunes playing from the deck speakers. Before the sun was hinting of being up only a few remained on deck, the rest of the crew collapsing in bed, exhausted from the heat of racing over the past few days.

Sneaking up under the radar was Welcome to Yorkshire who made a stunning comeback utilising the winds to the south. Rupert and his team sailed a fantastic final chapter in their race picking the gradient pressure to the south well.

Shortly after crossing the line the wind dropped off completely. As we drifted waiting for the sun could come up, so I could check the prop for fishing lines in the daylight before commencing the motor to Panama, I sat on the deck watching the sunrise and reflecting on the race so far (Reflections of the race so far to follow over the coming days).

The day was spent changing Gold Coast Australia from race mode to cruising mode and conducting maintenance. All the sails were checked over and repairs made before we finished the day with a cooling swim and celebratory drink of champaign, toasting our King Neptune and our win on a sea that now resembles a mirror.