Leg 2 - Race 3
Salvador, Brazil > Durban, South Africa
Durban 2010 and Beyond arrives in home port after tough race from Salvador, Brazil
17 November 2007
Durban, South Africa
Durban 2010 and Beyond arrived in her home port in seventh place on Friday at the end of gruelling race from Salvador, Brazil. Skipper Ricky Chalmers said his team had experienced a tough final day of racing with extensive gear damage including a shredded mainsail, pierced by one of their spinnaker poles as they made their way towards Durban.
Durban 2010 and Beyond crossed the line at 2357 UT (0157 local time) in seventh place with westernaustralia2011.com just an hour ahead of them in sixth after 4,200 miles of ocean racing finishing at 2255 GMT (0055 local time).
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.
Durban 2010 and Beyond Skipper Ricky Chalmers said: “Earlier today we had to drop our kedge [anchor] as there was no wind and then suddenly we had 50 knots to deal with. It’s been tough today but we’ve coped with everything and it’s great to be back in Durban.”
Line honours went to Hull & Humber, who crossed the line at 2308GMT (0108 local time) on Thursday 15 November, followed six minutes later by New York at 2314 GMT (0114 local time) 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.
As he tucked into a breakfast of bacon, eggs and fresh coffee at the Royal Natal Yacht Club, Ricky Chalmers said, “The conditions were incredibly changeable as we made our way up the coast and we had to deal with lots of damage, but we managed to cope with everything and I’m looking forward to having a bit of a rest over the next week.”
Durban is experiencing unstable weather at present and the ten 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.
Upon arrival, each of the team has received a traditional Zulu welcome in the race village in Durban Marina and they and the rest of the crews from the ten international city-sponsored yachts will be 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.
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 at David Cusworth, Clipper Crew Recruitment Manager
