Race 9.1 Day 2: Conditions ease off as fleet progresses towards Qingdao

The wind and the sea have eased right off, with the yachts beating into about 10 knots of wind after speeds of 40 knots yesterday. 

The elongated 1,000-mile long Ocean Sprint to China is seeing each yacht performing in its own individual time trial as they set off at different times after repairs were carried out in Hong Kong. 

Jamaica Get All Right and OneDLL have now left Hong Kong and are motoring towards the start line. PSP Logistics is still in port in Hong Kong and will remain there until its main engine fuel pump is repaired. 

The wind is expected to pick up again later today to around 20 to 30 knots with a monsoon coming back through.

Derry~Londonderry~Doire and GREAT Britain started off at the exact same time Sunday so they can measure progress against each other, effectively match racing. 

Simon Talbot, skipper of GREAT Britain, said: “Racing wise, we have lost out somewhat to Derry~Londonderry~Doire as the current seems to have been less strong than forecast on the Chinese coast meaning that the longer route we took to avoid the worst of the current has not paid off and has instead lost us 10 to 15 miles on them which is a shame, but we will obviously keep pushing hard to find a tactical angle to win that distance back. 

“The current and wind is so fickle in the Strait, that we could easily pull back their lead, or they could easily double it, so we will just have to see how this particular episode plays out.” 

Gareth Glover, skipper of Qingdao, competing on his ‘home leg’, said: “Just as we were getting to the third start gate, a number of ships were passing though at the same time and we had to tack round a few times to clear them which cost us around three miles on Switzerland who just got past them in time. Most of the night has been spent avoiding ships and fishing boats and keeping warm on deck as the temperature has dropped and the Henri Lloyd foulies have been on to replace shorts.”

To read all the skipper reports click here 

To track the fleet’s progress on the official Race Viewer click here