Race 3 Day 4: The skipper of the Derry entry on the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is happy with the progress being made in Race 3 across the South Atlantic from Brazil to Cape Town South Africa.
Sean McCarter.
Sean McCarter said the Derry “LondonDerry” Doire is putting in “really impressive” speeds.
He added: “Even sailing close to the wind we managed a few surfs at 17 knots plus and sustained averages of 12 knots plus. We are consistently putting in 260 to 270 mile days which really add up!
“We have settled into routine and our headsail change was carried out in good time with minimum fuss. I think our crew. and probably others too, are still looking for a ‘silver bullet’ to make these manoeuvres simple. Unfortunately I don’t think there is one – we have large, awkward sails that have to be wrestled through a small, wet and unstable area.
“There are lots of little things we can do to make this a little less difficult, but no one thing that will make it simple. It’s one of those things where you just have to ‘get it done’!”
Jamaica Get All Right and Qingdao are currently battling it out to be the first to cross the Scoring Gate and win the three extra points which are up for grabs.
The two yachts – which are expected to cross the line within the next 24 hours – have taken more of a risk by sailing further north than the rest of the fleet where there are lighter winds, but will aim to clip the southerly tip of the Scoring Gate and then head south again into stronger winds.on the radar.
Tags: