Dame Ellen Macarthur Starts Clipper Race In Olympic City.
Photograph with thanks to Ingrid Abery

ON 8 April 2006 at the Olympic Harbour, Qingdao in China whitnessed all ten yachts in the Clipper 05-06 Round the World Yacht Race depart under the eyes of Dame Ellen MacArthur. Dame Ellen MacArthur leaded the fleet out to the start line on board ‘B&Q’ before wishing the crews fair winds for their epic sail of 5,100 mile journey across the North Pacific Ocean. The race leg is now due to arrive in Victoria on 6 May 2006.

The teams are all well aware that this leg of the race will see them encounter big waves and great storms, as they battle the cold weather, plowing a way through the havy seas northwards into the Pacific Ocean.

The race was to re-start with the largest global audience of all time watching, thanks to CCTV (China’s national television station) who beamed the footage live to around half a billion people throughout China. With so many people watching the re-start the anticipation and excitement was at an all time high, with all the teams hoping they would make the best possible start.

Joining his ‘home team’ on the Victoria Clipper, for Leg Seven across the Pacific Ocean was Peter A. Robson, editor of Pacific Yachting magazine. Before he left he said:- "I climb aboard and gaze about the decks, marvelling at the complexity of it all and wondering, even being an experienced sailor, how I’m ever going to figure it out. A steep ladder leads below to her damp and cavernous interior. There is obviously lots of preparation still to be done before the race starts, and gear, clothing, sails and provisions are strewn everywhere. This is a racing yacht, and there is clearly no resemblance between it and the luxury yachts we write about in Pacific Yachting.

Aboard the Victoria, I find the only empty bunk. Half its length is a mere foot from the fibreglass overhead. I heave up my duffle and claim it as my own, wondering what I don’t know about it and why no one else has claimed it. I’m sure I’ll find out soon enough.”

Resilts at End of Leg Six on 3 April 2006.

LIVERPOOL 08 was the winner of Race 6 and finished at 05:57, UK local time (GMT+8). Victoria Clipper crossed the line 21 minutes later at 06:18 to take second place after an excruciating night becalmed within ten miles of the finish line.

Before setting off on the next leg the leader bourd looked like this...

1. Liverpool 08: Finished 05:57 local time 03/04/06

2. Victoria: Finished 06:18 local time 03/04/06 (+ 21 mins from leader)

3. Durban: Finished 06:24 local time 03/04/06 (+ 27 mins)

4. Uniquely Singapore:- Finished 06:41 local time 03/04/06 (+44 mins)

5. Cardiff: Finished 09:26 local time 03/04/06 (+ 3 hrs 29 mins)

6. New York: Finished 10:40 local time 03/04/06 (+4 hrs 43mins)

7. Qingdao: Finished 13:19 local time 03/04/06 (+ 7 hrs 22 mins)

8. Glasgow: Finished 14:25 local time 03/04/06 (+8 hrs 28 mins)

9. westernaustralia.com: Finished 1457 local time 03/04/06 (+9 hrs)

10. Jersey: Finished 15:01 local time 03/04/06 (+9 hrs 4 mins) 

Haydock Park Racecourse 'Easter Saturday' competition winner...

CONGRATULATIONS to our winner of the Hadock Park Racecorse 'Easter Saturday' competition. The winner is Lesley Flannery from Chruchtown. She goes away with the 4 County Enclosure badges. They are now winning their way to you. If you did not win remember it's a great time to get out and enjoy the very best entertainment that the sport of horse racing has to offer with the family and under 16 go for FREE!

Letters to Editor:- "Reply To Please find my lost brother"

"I am writing in response to a letter to the editor I read on here from by a Julie Flinders in the 24/10/05. My original name was Philip Duffy and I was born on 16 January 1959.   I to am looking for her and if you our any of your readers can track her down I would be more than happy to get in contact. Please pass my email on to her and publish it on your site, in case you do not have her contact information any more.   Thanks and I look forward to meeting her." James Mc. Nicholas, jamesmcnicholas45@hotmail.com

Editors note:- "Thanks for your email.  Sadly we do not have her cotact infomation any more but should any one contact us with the information I will let you know.   We hope you both find each other.   Good luck and we will keep you posted."

Letter link... click here

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Yes Paintball is an idea way to develop team spirit and develop leadership skills.  The Kombat Zone is available to hire for corporate or activity day events.   Why not have an Office War?  Do you have the "Balls to shoot the BOSS?"   For safety all players are issued with full kit and told the rules.   We also have a minimum age limit of 12 years old, but be warned this is no kids game and is an energetic activity that requires you to be medically fit.   The only thing we ask is "Could this be called training?"   Well it is a great day out no matter what you call it!

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 01704 549 175 TODAY!

...Above is an advert...