Race 10 Day 21: The final fight to the finish line in Race 10

With valuable extra points up for grabs in the Ocean Sprint, the fleet continue to fight it out to become the fastest entry across the lines 142 degrees west and 136 degrees west in Race 10. However, as San Francisco approaches who will triumph and who will be left disappointed?

After entering the Ocean Sprint section of Leg 6 yesterday Henri Lloyd, GREAT Britain, Invest Africa, and Qingdao, have completed the sprint. However, with the remainder of the fleet looking set to catch more favourable wind ahead from the forecast cold front, Old Pulteney and Derry~Londonderry~Doire who both started the sprint in the last 12 hours know all too well they can still give the leaders of the pack a run for their money. Skipper Sean McCarter of Derry~Londonderry~Doire describes the conditions.

“We started our Ocean Sprint this morning but with a constant 40-50 knots of breeze, the race track is a little bumpy to say the least. In fact, I'm sure I saw parts of the track being blown away earlier in 60 knot gusts! Still, much better than bobbing around in 6 knots like a couple of days back.”

Meanwhile, Invest Africa continues to put on one of its best performances so far in the Clipper 2013-14 Race. Will it be third time lucky for the African sponsored entry as the team vies for their third podium position, or will Mother Nature play one of her most wicked cards yet? Skipper Rich Gould describes the forecasted weather and how the team hope to benefit.

“All eyes are now on the weather forecast, and in particular the cell of high pressure sitting off the West Coast.  There is still a patch of light winds hanging around between us and San Francisco, but also a small secondary low developing south of our position. Although this low should not affect us directly, we are hoping that we will be affected by it indirectly. It looks as though as this depression forms it should draw some air down from the north and in doing so the high should be forced south, and out of our way.

“For now the weather is holding out, and our generous sail plan continues helping keep up good speeds.”

To follow the fleet’s progress, you can see the official Race Viewer HERE

To read all the skipper reports, click HERE 

To read the crew diaries, click HERE