The clipper 2002 race around the World will begin on Sunday at Albert Dock, Liverpool. The tough race around the World will begin in the UK, travelling south to Portugal and on to America where they will finish their first leg. Sailing from Liverpool to Cascais, Portugal, the yachts will pass the Islands - either east or west, depending upon the weather - mid-week.
Clipper Ventures write: “Initially they may have to beat down St George’s Channel between Wales and Ireland before breaking out into the Celtic Sea. The direct course takes them to the west of the Isles of Scilly but some may tuck inside if they have a fair tide. They will pass well to the west of the famous island of Ushant off the NW tip of Brittany and head direct for Cape Villano on the NW corner of Spain. This 400 mile stretch takes them across the Bay of Biscay which they will be happy to put behind them. For the first third of this crossing they will still be on the Continental Shelf and the depth will be between 100 and 150 metres. Suddenly the depth will increase to over 4000 metres and this is significant as the short uncomfortable seas will become longer and the ocean sailing starts!”
Good luck to the crews - especially sailing from the UK, as the weather has been unpredictable, with stormy weather.
Links: http://www.clipper-ventures.com/raceviewer/index.htm Clipper Ventures: ‘Clipper 2002?