All eyes on Clipper Race 14
by Clipper Round the World 21 Jul 20:11 NZST
21 July 2024
Clipper Race 14 © imagecomms
After thirteen races, over 40,000nm of ocean racing and six ocean crossings, it's time for the eleven Clipper Race teams to focus on the final race.
Race 14: The Homecoming will see the teams set off from first-time Host Port Oban, on the West Coast of Scotland, and race back to Portsmouth - the home port that the fleet set off from eleven months ago. The final race route will see the fleet head out of Oban and then down the west of Ireland, heading south until it rounds Lands' End and arrives back in the home waters and fleet's training ground of the English Channel. Then it will be a sprint up to the Finish Line off the Isle of Wight, where the fleet will complete Race 14. With everything to play for at the top of the race leaderboard, and three teams Zhuhai, Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam and Perseverance battling for the top spots, and securing a spot on the podium, this is set to be a nail biter of a final showdown.
Speaking about the conditions, Dale Smyth, Deputy Race Director said: "It's the final race down to the South Coast of the UK, down to Portsmouth. The conditions for the fleet look really good. There's a low-pressure system approaching the west of Ireland over the next couple days, which will give the crews a couple of days of upwind sailing. But as they get round the western side of Ireland, they'll be able to bear away and actually have a really fast run down to the South Coast.
"Unfortunately, at the moment, it looks like a high-pressure ridge will overtake the fleet as they get near the finish, but that is still a while away so we will hope for the best there. It's 920 miles for the fleet and looking like a nice run over five days, and the fleet will approach Portsmouth on 27 July."
This final stage will not feature an Ocean Sprint or Scoring Gate, and with all Jokers played, there won't be an opportunity for bonus points on Race 14. However, depending on the weather conditions in the Channel once the teams have crossed the ultimate Finish Line, there could be one last chance for a leaderboard shake-up.
Dale added: "After the fleet has crossed the Finish Line on Race 14, off the eastern side of the Isle of Wight, weather dependent, there will be a final sprint right to a Finish Line off Southsea in Portsmouth. That sprint will count for three, two and one point for the top three boats."
As the fleet makes the final preparations ahead of the final race of the circumnavigation, we spoke to some of the sailing professionals leading their teams on this last sprint of the 40,000+ mile round the world race.
Washington, DC
Hannah Brewis, Washington, DC Skipper: "It's the last race from Oban to Portsmouth, so I am excited to do it and it's going to be a big moment.
"It's going to be a difficult race, it's a coastal race and it's the last one, and it's only six days. We'll be going around Ireland and into the English Channel. It's not an easy race with things like tides and commercial traffic, and this is where the final points are up for grabs so when things can change. It's no cruise that's for sure.
"The Sprint will be really cool. I'm picturing a beautiful sunny day with a nice 10-15 knots of breeze, if someone can organize that, that would be great! But racing into Portsmouth, it was amazing to sail out of there, so sailing back in is going to be amazing. I think the whole fleet racing in together will be really really cool and a great way to finish the race ready for a celebration in Portsmouth."
Ella Hebron, Washington, DC First Mate: "I'm super excited to be at this stage of the race. It doesn't quite feel real and it doesn't quite feel like we're here already. Everyone is excited to finish and get back home and see people again and I'm just so proud of the whole team for getting to this point.
"There's a couple of systems flowing in from the Atlantic, so it's a little bit changeable. It'll be upwind at the start and then swings round to northerly, so hopefully quite quick from there.
Zhuhai
James Finney, Zhuhai Skipper: "Like everyone, I have mixed emotions. The race has gone on for a long time and is now coming close to the end. But it's going to be good, it's really close at the top, and we are pretty much guaranteed a place in the top three.
"It's a coastal race, so we have to manage tides and being closer to the land. It's short, so it's a case of trying to stay on the Rhumb Line, and the weather is steady, so it should be a nice run down to Portsmouth.
"The pressure is more on the other two teams, we just need to spoil the party."
Mike Davies, Zhuhai First Mate: "It's just like every other race, the crew wants to win it and do well. If we can get into second that would be amazing but third is still fantastic. We can leave the crew to sail the boat, they can do sail changes, reefing, helming, and we can leave them to it, which is testament to them and how much they've learnt.
Dare To Lead
Ryan Gibson, Dare To Lead Skipper: "It's amazing that we are already at the last race. It's gone so quickly but the circumnavigation has been long too. It's been unbelievable and I'm really excited.
"We are going to be starting north of Oban, so you need to be careful there, and then we are going to be heading around the west side of Ireland and then back up the English Channel. So lots of tide and we have to watch out for wind and tide combined together. It'll be a little bit tricky getting down to the bottom of Ireland, and then some lighter conditions to finish off. I think we will get a little bit of everything but nothing too intense, but hopefully we will choose the right route."
Charlie Warhurst, Dare To Lead First Mate: "This last race is going to be so quick. It's our final week of sailing and I think there's going to be some quite intense navigation and so many boats around you means you really can't make a mistake. Everyone is ready to fight. For us, we need to make sure UNICEF stays behind us, so if that means we come first and they come second, then that's the preference!
PSP Logistics
Mike Miller, PSP Logistics Skipper: "It's super exciting to be at this point, we are really getting ready to go and really looking forward to the homecoming. This is a big one for us because I don't think we have done anywhere near as well as the crew have deserved on this edition.
"They have really pushed themselves and excelled in a lot of ways. The important thing for us now is to really prove to ourselves that we can do it. We have proved that we can be faster than everyone at times, and now is the time to prove we can be fastest on this short race. It's only five days, but it's going to be tough racing alongside people when we are all together. It's going to be a great incentive for us to keep pushing and not take our foot off the gas. It should be a nice fast race in terms of the wind and it's up to us to make the most of it."
Lottie Wade, PSP Logistics First Mate: "It's exhausting but it has been one hell of an adventure, it's a bit emotional I must admit. It's a great achievement for the circumnavigators to do this, it's awesome. The crew are so motivated. They want to do well, we want to do well as a crew and I think everyone is really keen to get stuck in and push the boat to make a difference.
Qingdao
Philip Quinn, Skipper on Qingdao said: "We are currently mid fleet, at sixth place. We've got seven points between the teams above us and below us. We could potentially move up the board. The wind is quite variable: some upwind and some downwind or some very light, so it will be tricky enough. The tides through the English Channel are never easy either.
"Our circumnavigators are integral to the team - I've seen a big improvement since I joined in Australia, and everybody gets better along the way. It is their race, and we try to get them to race and do everything with minimal input from us. Ultimately, it is their service, and we're here to ensure they get it right safely.
"This is the last one. We just have to soak it up and enjoy it for what it is. We'll be able to enjoy it as well because we're not fighting for the overall podium, unfortunately. But at the same time, that means we don't have any stress. The fact that we're sitting mid-fleet and it's unlikely to change means we might be able to enjoy it a little bit more."
Henry Hallatt, First Mate on Qingdao: "I cannot believe I've sailed here from Australia. It's been a long time coming. All of our round the worlders are very excited for race finish but sad at the same time, it's mixed feelings really. I'm pretty sure I will miss it after a week!"
Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam
Bob Beggs, Skipper of Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam said: "For the Skippers who have now circumnavigated and are about to arrive at the end, it's been a long time. They have been training and racing for 18 months. They'll be talking about the racing and their boats today, and that will continue for the next five days until it's over. Then, the realisation will dawn that they now have to get on with life. They'll need to prove themselves, but their concentration will still be on getting the builds to the end and doing the best for their teams. The day before the final arrival will be quite a day for everybody. It's the end of this journey, so it's going to be quite emotional."
"For us, being on the top of the podium with only three points between us and Perseverance is a tough place to be and that could change very easily."
Yacht Club Punta del Este
Nano Antia Bernardez, Skipper of Yacht Club Punta del Este: "We have been fighting since Leg 1 to get the podium and we have always been very close but the real podium now will be to finish and have everyone safe back in Pompey. We are eighth and chasing to climb to seventh place. Whatever will be will be.
"It feels like we have already made it around the world, and it is now time for the last five-day race back to Portsmouth and I am really looking forward to finishing the circumnavigation and having a rest and seeing family."
Angus Whitehead, First Mate on Yacht Club Punta del Este: "I'm really excited. It's going to be so good to see the Isle of Wight. Seeing the Spinnaker Tower having learnt to sail on the south coast, and leaving there before circumnavigating and now to be sailing back there after going around the world is going to be awesome."
Bekezela
David Hartshorn, Skipper of Bekezela: "I think there's a mixed feeling among our circumnavigators. Some of them are glad it's coming to an end, but you can see that people's thoughts have turned elsewhere now toward the future."
Maisie Bristow, AQP on Bekezela said: "I think this race will be a lot of fun. It's short, hopefully fast, and lots to keep us busy. Short races aren't always our specialty, but it will be fun!"
Our Isles and Oceans
Max Rivers, Skipper of Our Isles and Oceans: The battle with YCPE is close, but we're going to win it. Obviously, we'll see how much room we give them to think they've got a chance. The crew is enthusiastic, looking forward to a good battle, and eager to see who can race better. The length of the race and weather conditions will hopefully play in our favour, and we are ready to be adaptable.
"They know how technical these conditions can be, and they thrive in them. They really know how to race in these conditions. We're going to bring it home. It's coming home."
Tom Newsom, First Mate on Our Isles and Oceans: "I think we're three points behind today, and that's a comfort. If we were three points ahead, I think that would be a comfort too. We had a really nice race last time, and this one is still going to be quite engaging for us. We're racing down the English Channel and going back into familiar waters, and we are going to bring it home!"
Perseverance
Ineke van der Weijden, Perseverance Skipper: "One more race! Unbelievable. The year has gone so fast, it's been an amazing adventure. Just one week to go, I cannot get my head around it. Every time we set it's going to be tricky, there's a lot of concentration. It is a bit shorter, which makes it a bit different, it's still tricky racing with some interesting weather. We have everything to still play for, and that pressure is very real."
Joss Creswell Perseverance First Mate: "It doesn't seem real. The last race was wonderful, and now it's just the time to spend with this crew, this team that we have built. I think it's going to be a lot more emotional than any other race. More and more through the race the team has taken ownership of the boat, and have become a lot bigger component than Ineke and I. They're rabid, they're so competitive, and they are a great team."
UNICEF
Dan Bodey, UNICEF Skipper: "The crew are excited for the final race, but also mixed emotions because it is the last one. Compared to some of the oceans, we've got a lot of coastal sailing now, but it's still out in the Atlantic as we go round the west of Ireland, so we'll still be getting lots of that weather. And the English Channel provides some of the most varied weather you can get, so it's still going to be a big challenge for the crews and it's definitely not over yet."
Laura Hampton, UNICEF First Mate added: "So at the moment there is just one point between us and Dare To Lead, which means the battle between fourth and fifth is very much on the cards. It's going to be pretty tense for us all the way down to see who gets that fourth place.
"There's a lot of mixed emotions. I'm immensely proud of what we have achieved as a team."
Keep up with all the action from the final race on the Race Viewer.
For more information visit www.clipperroundtheworld.com.