Race 13 Day 3: The Derry “LondonDerry” Doire is in second place as the 12-strong fleet in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race continues on the 2,850 mile crossing from New York to Derry.
After a tense day of racing with light airs, mixed sea currents and fog creating windholes and a game of snakes and ladders on the leaderboard, the Derry entry is just a mile behind the leading boat, Switzerland.
Sean McCarter, skipper of the Derry Clipper, is satisfied with the effort so far as the crew push to be first across the finishing line in its home port in around 11 days time.
Sean said: “All is well aboard as we ghost our way east using a light breeze helped by a strong push from the Gulf Stream.
“We were heading north east last night and noticed the boats to our north had slowed and Switzerland was coming south at great pace.
“We gybed over to head south east and as it transpired, managed to dodge a cold water eddy with fog and light wind above it.
“We had a great run today managing a 60 mile schedule which is a first for a long time. Earlier on, we sailed into a hole and watched.”
Sean concluded: “Switzerland sail right past a few hundred metres away. After hours of inching back our loss, we watched their kite collapse, hardened up a few degrees and sailed right past them! ‘The Gulf Stream giveth and the Gulf Stream taketh away’.”
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