Leg 1 - Race 2
La Rochelle, France > Salvador, Brazil
Durban 2010 and Beyond has won the second race of the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race from La Rochelle to Salvador da Bahia. Crossing the finish line at 15:45 UTC the South African team has gained the maximum ten points by winning the first ocean crossing of the Clipper 07-08 Race. The result has moved them to the top of the overall leader board from their fifth place position at the end of Race 1.
“I’m pretty elated but also exhausted,” said Ricky Chalmers, skipper of Durban 2010 and Beyond. “We had a bit of a scare there right at the end when the wind died on us, but by chasing the clouds we managed to find some again and cross the line”
Durban 2010 and Beyond came alongside the pontoon at SUDESB’s Terminal Maritimo da Bahia in Salvador to fireworks and a rapturous welcome from local dignitaries, friends, family and dozens of Brazilian media and 07-08 crew who will be joining for Leg 2. A local woman dressed in a traditional Bahia costume gave the crew ribbons to wear on their wrists, a local custom that grants the recipient three wishes as the ribbon is tied on with three knots. One of the winning crew, Msawenkosi Johannes ‘Joe’ Xaba from Durban was excited to have arrived in Brazil “It’s been awesome!” exclaimed Joe “The best part is getting into port after an amazing adventure.”
Originally sixth across start line in La Rochelle on 23 September and ninth heading out into the Bay of Biscay at the start of Race 2, Durban 2010 and Beyond has demonstrated that ocean racing is about long term planning and tactics and not short term gains.
Joff Bailey, Race Director: “Ocean racing is a marathon and not a sprint and Durban 2010 and Beyond has proved this. They have made some good tactical decisions and kept focused to achieve a well earned victory.”
During the first of the three transatlantic crossings of the Clipper 07-08 Race Durban 2010 and Beyond has faced the wrath of gale force winds in the Bay of Biscay and the frustrations of no wind in the Doldrums. It was the team’s tactical decision to stay west of the Canary Islands that enabled the South Africans to move to the head of the fleet when the lead boats chose to cut through the islands and sailed into a wind hole.
“There were moments when we had big doubts, but we took the gamble and decided to go west,” explained Ricky. “After tacking around Madeira we got a bit of a lift around the Cape Verde Islands and our decision paid off.”
Moving into the lead on 4 October, Durban 2010 and Beyond had to fight hard to maintain the lead as Nova Scotia were always close behind them and at the end Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper also threatened their pole position.
“We’ve been battling with both of them and Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper was hot on our heels at the end there so we were pretty worried right until the end.”
The crew of Durban 2010 and Beyond will now spend the next couple of days working on the boat before having some time off to explore the city of Salvador. They will also be looking forward to the Rugby World Cup on Saturday 20 October where they will be hoping for another victory.
On 24 October the fleet will depart from Salvador for Race 3 to Durban where the pressure will be on Durban 2010 and Beyond to win into their home port.
Results after Race 2