19 May 2008
Panama

In fluky wind conditions, varying between 12 and 30 knots predominantly from a north easterly direction, Race 10 to from Panama to Jamaica began at 10:02 local time (15:02 UTC) with a Le Mans start. Jamaica was first off the line, showing determination to break the ‘home port curse’ and secure their first win of the Clipper series.

Following their headsail hoists the fleet was hit by a sudden squall causing the winds to shift temporarily to a southerly direction. As the fleet headed north towards the Caribbean island of Jamaica, overall race leaders Hull & Humber had moved into pole position with Durban 2010 and Beyond close on their heels, as both teams sacrificed direction in favour of speed by choosing to sail higher than best course.

Nova Scotia was among the last four yachts to transit the Panama Canal and sail out into the Caribbean last night to join the six, who had completed their passage during Friday and Saturday for the Le Mans start at a prearranged rendezvous point. In a Le Mans start the yachts line up with only their mainsails hoisted. On the starting signal they must raise their headsails as quickly as they can to gain as much advantage as possible over their competition.

The 590-mile race is one of the shortest of the 14 individual races in Clipper 07-08 and will be an upwind sprint to the Caribbean island and the finish line before the fleet arrives in Port Antonio, Jamaica.

Nova Scotianarrowly missed a top-three finish in the last race having taken the lead at one point. They were part of a group of five yachts who matched each other move for move, the advantage going to the teams who made the correct tactical decisions with perfect timing. Tactical choices in Race 10 will be relatively simple as the fleet makes the fast dash for the finish line in Jamaica.

Skipper Rob McInally says, “The light winds of the last race were a little bit frustrating because it wasn't what we were expecting, but it's still great sailing and a great way to learn about sailing when it's really light. This is going to be a different race altogether. It’s going to be no holds barred, upwind, fast and furious and we should have some good breeze out there. I’m looking forward to it.”

Nova Scotia round the world crew member Paul MacGillivary, whose grandfather was born and raised on Cape Breton Island, has realised a long held dream this weekend. “I’ve worked in the marine industry for 35 years and I have never been through the Panama Canal,” he explained as he and the crew prepared to slip from Flamenco Marina on the Pacific side of the waterway. “I’ve been looking forward to this for a long time. It’s the engineering aspect of it, marvelling at the construction of it, just learning how it all works. We’ve been up to the two museums while we’ve been here and they were fascinating. I’m not going to miss a second of it!”

Nova Scotia’s crew made a banner with a message for their supporters watching their progress on the Panama Canal’s webcams. It read, “Hello and thank you for the support from Nova Scotia.”

The Panama Canal transit was completed in just four days from the arrival of the first yachts on Wednesday 14 May. Clipper 07-08 Race Director, Joff Bailey, says, “Our sincere thanks go to the Panama Canal Authority who ensured we transited with the minimum delay. It means we have managed to make up more of the time we lost in Hawaii last month and are on schedule to start Race 11 from Jamaica as planned next Saturday.”

With approximately 8,000 miles left of their 35,000-mile circumnavigation and just five races to go, the Uniquely Singapore crew know they are still in with a chance of finishing higher up the table when the fleet arrives back in Liverpool on 5 July as part of the city’s European Capital of Culture celebrations. With a maximum of 50 points to play for they are currently in sixth place overall, with just seven points separating fifth and ninth places.

The yachts are expected to arrive in Errol Flynn Marina, Port Antonio, late on Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.

Berths are now available for the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race. For more information on applying to become a crew member, contact Clipper Ventures on +44 (0) 2392 526000 oremail clipperroundtheworld.com.

ENDS

For media information, photographs and interviews with skippers, crew or Race Team, please contact:

Heather Ewing, Communications Coordinator (in Jamaica)

UKMobile: +44 (0) 7792 408 695

Email: clipper-ventures.com

Zoe Williamson, Communications Coordinator (in UK)

Tel: +44 (0) 2392 526000        Mobile: +44 (0) 7793 417 751

Email: clipper-ventures.com

For further information log onto www.clipperroundtheworld.com