​Race 12: The LegenDerry Race Preview

After ten months and more than 36,000 nautical miles, there are just two races remaining in the Clipper 2017-18 Race Circumnavigation. And kicking off The Atlantic Homecoming Leg 8 is the 3,000nm race from New York to Derry-Londonderry, Northern Ireland.

Race 12: The LegenDerry Race will be a tough race of up to 19 days and will feature the sixth and final ocean crossing of the circumnavigation.

Following an enjoyable New York Stopover, teams will slip lines from 0900, local time, at Liberty Landing Marina, before putting on one last show in the Big Apple with a Parade of Sail in front of the iconic Manhattan skyline and Statue of Liberty.

The fleet will then bid New York and the USA farewell and motor towards the Le Mans Start, in the vicinity of 40°10.000N, 073°00.000W, where Race 12 will officially begin at 1400UTC (1800 local time) on Tuesday 26 June.

Whilst the circumnavigation is almost done, there will be absolutely no room for complacency, with the fleet to encounter a number of hurdles during the 16 to 19 day race to Derry-Londonderry.

Clipper Race Director Mark Light explains: “Taking a popular route across the North Atlantic, the fleet will initially head towards Canada. The Grand Banks, at the southern tip of Newfoundland, is renowned for thick fog patches and light winds as the Labrador Current brings cold water down from the Arctic, which will demand vigilance from crew and Skippers.”

In the North Atlantic proper, the teams will find the weather in this ocean can be just as heavy in the North Pacific. Swirling depressions can result in high winds and big swells, whilst teams will also need to be on the watch for icebergs, though the strict ice limit will protect the fleet from getting too close to the ice fields.

The final stage should be an enjoyable rollercoaster ride, with fast downwind sailing on offer in the prevailing westerlies. And all the effort will be worth it, when the teams arrive to the LegenDerry warm welcome in Derry-Londonderry, and all the fun and excitement of the Foyle Maritime Festival.

Sanya Serenity Coast remains on top of the overall standings and with a 19 point lead over the second placed Qingdao, Skipper Wendy Tuck and her team will be hard to beat with two races to go.

Watch out on the Clipper Race: LIVE Facebook page to see the teams slip their lines off the dock ahead of Race 12 start on Monday 25 June 2018 from 0900 local time (1400 UTC).

Once the fleet reaches the Race 12 start position, David Hartshorn, Skipper of GREAT Britain will lead the Le Mans start as directed by the Clipper Race Director Mark Light.

Wishing you could be out on the start line in New York too? Well now you can, virtually, from the comfort of your own armchair; in fact, wherever you are with an internet link, via laptop, tablet or mobile.

The Clipper Race has teamed up once again with the world’s leading and most experienced team of digital yacht racing game experts at Virtual Regatta and after a competitive Race 11, the virtual ocean racing platform is once again ready for the start of Race 12. Full details of all the features and how to play are available in the game website.