​Race 11 Day 2: Upwind Caribbean Challenge

Life at an angle continues on Day 2 of Race 11: Nasdaq Race from Panama to New York, with the Clipper Race teams calculating their best approach to the first mandatory gate between Jamaica and the Dominican Republic.

The fleet remains split in two, though all teams are now on a starboard northerly tack. The group to the west remains strongest on the leaderboard, but the racing is tight in the leading pack, with just 18 nautical miles between first and eighth place.

IMAGE: All positions correct at time of publishing.

Sanya Serenity Coast is currently second in the standings and Skipper Wendy Tuck comments: “We have another day or so to go bashing away upwind and then the tricky tactics of which way to go through the islands. We are in AIS range with about six other boats so always nice to have company.”

Conall Morrison, Skipper of the fourth placed HotelPlanner.com, adds: “Lots of boats are close on AIS and we can compare performance and sail plans against each other. PSP Logistics, GREAT Britain, and Nasdaq have taken a different route from the bulk of the fleet so time will tell which option works out better.”

PSP Logistics remains the most easterly team and those on board are still getting used to close-hauled racing, as Skipper Matt Mitchell explains: “We should have a few days of this before we can get north enough to break out of the headwinds where we are likely to get some light winds before getting into the Trades proper to the north.”

IMAGE: All positions correct at time of publishing.

Whilst the east-north-easterly wind has strengthened slightly in the last 24 hours, so far, the tropics have been kind, with only a little squall activity expected ahead. And in further good news, Clipper Race Meteorologist Simon Rowell reports that as the ridge of the high-pressure system heads north, it should result in a burst of wind to move the fleet through the Caribbean island maze.

The 1,900 nautical mile race to New York is expected to take approximately 12 days, with the teams due to arrive at Liberty Landing Marina between 14-16 June. To follow the progress of the fleet, keep an eye on the Clipper Race Viewer. You can also read the Skipper Blogs in full in the Team Pages or learn more about life on board in the Crew Diaries.