17 November 2007
Durban, South Africa
 
Nova Scotia arrived in Durban on Saturday to loud applause from crowds gathered in the marina and a traditional Zulu welcome at the end of gruelling race from Salvador, Brazil. Skipper Rob McInally and his team crossed the finish line at 19.19 local time (17.19 GMT) in tenth place after 25 days of racing.
 
At the Royal Natal Yacht Club, the oldest sports club in Africa, Rob and his crew tucked into the supper of bacon and eggs and cold beer offered to every sailor arriving there at the end of an ocean race.
 
He said, “It’s been a very exciting race, we’ve had some fantastic sailing. It’s been a bit slow over the last few days but it’s been such an amazing welcome. It’s absolutely fantastic to be in Durban. We’re just overwhelmed at the welcome we’ve had.”
 
Nova Scotia’s crew, along with the rest of the Clipper fleet are being hosted in Durban Marina by Royal Natal Yacht Club and neighbours Point Yacht Club.
 
Also on the pontoon to greet one of the Nova Scotia crew in particular was Operations Director of Clipper 07-08, Colin de Mowbray. He presented a bouquet of flowers to round the world crew member Dr Lucy Mendham who helped treat him when he suffered a heart attack during the stopover in La Rochelle.
 
Line honours in Race 3 of Clipper 07-08 went to Hull & Humber, who crossed the line at 0108 local (2308 GMT) on Thursday 15 November, followed six minutes later by New York at 0114 local (2314 GMT) who will take the points for first place after Hull & Humber incurred a four-hour time penalty for not returning to the point where they stopped racing and started their engine in order to carry out a medical evacuation.
 
The results are provisional until all the skippers have made declarations, any protests have been lodged and the Race Committee has convened to ratify the results. If the results stand, the points table will be as follows:
 
1. Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper             21 points
2. Liverpool 08                                                    20.5 points
3. Hull & Humber                                                  18 points
4. Durban 2010 and Beyond                               17 points
5. New York                                                       13.5 points
6. Nova Scotia                                                    12.5 points
7. Qingdao                                                          11.5 points
8. westernaustralia2011.com                            11 points
9. Uniquely Singapore                                         9 points
10. Jamaica                                                        3.5 points
 
The leaderboard showing the points won by each team in each of the three races to date can be viewed at www.clipperroundtheworld.com.
 
Of this race Rob says, “We didn’t exactly come first, however there were lots of wins along the way. We’ve developed as a crew, developed as a team, we’ve all got so much better with the helming and faced we some great weather and for the future it’s really looking good.”
 
Durban is experiencing unstable weather at present and the ten international city-sponsored yachts competing in Clipper 07-08 have experienced a tough passage up the South African coastline. The teams have been tested to their limits with constant wind shifts and seemingly endless sail changes.
 
Once the deep cleans and maintenance on the yachts are complete the crews and their families and friends who have travelled to meet them will be able to spend time enjoying all the hospitality that Durban, Africa's Zulu Kingdom's bewitching seaside playground, has to offer.
 
His Worship the Mayor of Durban, Councillor Obed Mlaba, says, “On behalf of the City of Durban, South Africa, I offer a warm welcome to the crew, race organisers, accompanying officials, friends and family of the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race. We are privileged to be participating in this global event and are proud to be represented by our boat and crew of Durban 2010 and Beyond.
 
“It is fitting that the fleet should arrive in Durban during the period that we are hosting the FIFA delegation for the 2010 Soccer World Cup Preliminary Draw. Both events play vital roles in strengthening Durban's position as ‘Africa's premier sporting and events capital’. We have prepared the marina for your arrival and I have been assured that the city has catered for your every need while you are in our city. May you enjoy Durban’s hospitality, warm weather, cuisine and culture during your ten-day stopover.
 
“We wish you fair winds and a bon voyage when you leave our shores on 25 November on your way to Fremantle, Australia.”
 
This is the sixth edition of the Clipper Race and the fourth time the fleet has visited Durban. The fleet will be hosted at the Marina at Keppel Bay in Singapore from 19-27 January 2008.
 
Berths for the next race, Clipper 09-10 are now available. For more information on applying to become a crew member, contact Clipper Ventures on +44 (0)2392 526000 or email David Cusworth, Clipper Crew Recruitment Manager at clipper-ventures.com
 
ENDS/
 
For more information on this event visit www.clipperroundtheworld.com