Race 13 Day 1: The Grange Hotels Trophy gets off to a flying start

The Grange Hotels Trophy got off to a flying start at (1800 UTC) yesterday as the 12-strong matched fleet left behind the warm, laid back hospitality of Jamaica ahead of the 1,420 mile race to the city that never sleeps, New York.

With less than 20 miles currently separating the tightly-packed fleet as it head towards the Windward Passage between Cuba and Haiti, Derry~Londonderry~Doire is currently neck and neck with overall leader of the race Henri Lloyd as OneDLL and Mission Performance  and the rest of the fleet continue the chase.

Skipper of Henri Lloyd, Eric Holden, reflects on his teams start for Race 13 in his skipper report today. “We got around the turning mark in the top group so are pleased we got away clean and can focus on beating upwind towards the Windward Passage between Cuba and Haiti. Earlier on the breeze allowed us to sail the direct route but that was too good to last and now the wind has shifted right where we want to go.”

After a spectacular stopover in Jamaica which saw Switzerland collect its second podium, the Swiss team is hoping that Race 13 will be third time lucky as they head for New York. Skipper Vicky Ellis,   discusses her team’s start in her skipper report today:

“Race 13 start got us off with a bang and we have been enjoying some close racing with the other teams since the gun went.  A wind shift overnight saw the fleet divide in to two groups but it is still very close between all the boats.  GREAT Britain is on our tail and has been now for several hours.”

Meanwhile, skipper of Jamaica Get All Right, Pete Stirling, was disappointed with his team’s start yesterday, but as a veteran Clipper Race skipper is well aware New York is still a long way off.  

“I decided to head further east than the rest of the fleet and left the Formigas Bank to port whilst the other teams left it to starboard. Whilst we were the most southerly boat we were also the most easterly boat which I thought would put us in a good position to lay through the Windward Passage between Cuba and Haiti.

“However we got headed early by the wind and now find ourselves approximately ten miles due south of the rest of the fleet. I am quite annoyed at myself for following these tactics but it is still early days and we have a long way to go to New York.”

To view the Race Viewer click here

To read all the skipper report click here