The Derry “LondonDerry” Doire holds a slender lead in 4,500 mile Race 8 of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race from Brisbane to Singapore.
As the fleet leave behind the Southern Ocean and head into the Coral Sea and its tropical climate, the Derry Clipper shows no signs of relinquishing its minimal but early lead.
With less than 20 miles separating the first nine teams, with reports of 18 to 20 knots of wind in “perfect conditions” but there could be a change in fortunes as a dreaded wind hole has been forecast just as the fleet approach the Scoring Gate.
Sean McCarter, skipper of the Derry Clipper, knows all too well, you don’t count your chickens until they’ve hatched.
He said: “All is well on the ‘Derry-go-round’ as we speed towards the Scoring Gate 450 miles to our north.
“It looks like we’ll have continued Champagne sailing conditions until about 30 miles before the Scoring Gate where we will charge into the first of many wind holes on this leg.”
Sean concluded: “We have a small lead at the moment but that will mean nothing when we all bunch up in just under two days’ time.”
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