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Marina at Keppel Bay, Singapore
Photograph and
report with thanks to Clipper Ventures Plc.
THE
number two is proving to be a magic number for the crew of
the Liverpool-backed entry in Clipper 07-08. With three
second places to their name already, the crew of Liverpool
08 were second across the start line when Race 6 of the
Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race got underway at
0610 GMT (1410 local time) on Sunday, 27 January 2008, after
a spectacular send-off from the new Marina at Keppel Bay,
Singapore.
The ten internationally backed yachts motored to the start
line off Nongsa Point, Batam, Indonesia, where Race 5 from
Fremantle finished prior to the fleet’s choreographed
arrival in Singapore on 19 January 2008 to coincide with the
opening of the new marina.
In the sweltering heat and just with 5 to 8 knots of breeze
from the east, the ten crews struggled to maintain some boat
speed at the start of this 2,600 mile race north to Qingdao,
China, the venue for the sailing events of the 2008 Beijing
Olympic Games. Less than a minute after the start, the
heavens opened and the crews were afforded some temporary
relief in the form of a tropical downpour.
The start of Race 6 will prove challenging for the teams as
they race in the restricted waters of the Singapore Straits.
With one of the world’s busiest shipping channels penning
them into a tight area, they are being forced to tack in
light airs to make it to the first mark, Middle Rock, which
lies approximately 30 miles east of Singapore.
Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper was first across the
start line with Liverpool 08, Qingdao and Nova Scotia close
behind. Jamaica was fifth across the line, followed by New
York, Hull & Humber and Durban 2010 and Beyond. Despite a
good approach to the line, Uniquely Singapore was pushed out
at the north end and had to tack to re-approach the start
line, finally crossing in tenth place.
Although their three second places so far have put them
third overall, just one and a half points behind the leader,
Durban 2010 and Beyond, the crew of Liverpool 08 are still
pushing for the top spot on the podium.
Preparing for the departure from Singapore, Liverpool 08
skipper Ben Galloway said:- “We’re going to be working
as hard as we always work. We’ve had a talk and decided what
we’re going to do. We’re going to give it that extra ten,
15, 20 per cent, whatever we need. We’re going for the
yellow pennant and giving it everything we’ve got. It’s
going to be hard beating upwind – it’s kind of where we
suffered on the last leg. We’ve talked about where we went
wrong, how we could do better and hopefully improve on that
and get a better result.”
The ten entries in world’s largest round the world yacht
race fleet departed from the newly-opened Marina at Keppel
Bay in spectacular fashion after a crew breakfast and
colourful farewell ceremony attended by Clipper Ventures
Chairman Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Keppel Corporation
Executive Chairman Lim Chee Onn, Keppel Corporation Group
Finance Director Teo Soon Hoe and Ambassador Tony Siddique.
A pride of lions took to the pontoons to bid farewell to the
teams, presenting each of the ten skippers with a
specially-commissioned scroll wishing them - yi fan feng
shun, peng cheng wan li – smooth sailing and a bright future
ahead. Representatives from Uniquely Singapore then
presented a basket of mandarins representing good fortune
and prosperity to each of the crews in anticipation of the
Chinese New Year which the crews will celebrate out at sea
en route to China.
Chairman and founder of the Clipper Race, legendary solo
sailor Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, said:- “Departure is
always bitter sweet. For the crews there is the excitement
of setting out on the next stage of their odyssey but at the
same time apprehension and a little bit of sadness for
family and friends waving them off. We have watched these
crews transform into experienced sailors over the past
months just as we have seen this magnificent marina at
Keppel Bay develop over the two years since the Clipper
Fleet was last here two years ago. We always enjoy being in
Singapore and enjoy the friendship we have developed with
Keppel, who have laid on the most amazing reception here in
Singapore.”
The ten 68-foot ocean racing yachts have been berthed at the
new S$30 million yacht haven owned by Uniquely Singapore
sponsor, Keppel Corporation Limited.
“The Clipper
07-08 Race stopover at Marina at Keppel Bay has not only added
colour and excitement to this vibrant southern waterfront hub; it
has also generated goodwill for the local sailing fraternity and
raised public interest in the sport.
In the last
nine days, we have seen families, friends and fans of crewmembers
from all across the world rally to cheer on the Clipper fleet.
We are confident that in concert with the slew of exciting
waterfront developments and activities at Keppel Bay, Sentosa and
the surroundings, Marina at Keppel Bay is set to draw even more......"
....Report continued....
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....Report continued....
".....international yachts, boaters
and visitors to Singapore.” said Mr Lim Chee Onn, Executive
Chairman of Keppel Corporation.
A busy programme of in-port activity has included an onboard
cook-off featuring three celebrity Scottish chefs, a royal visit
from HRH Prince Michael of Kent, visits from local schools,
recruitment presentations and a range of networking events organised
by the international sponsor cities including Glasgow and Hull &
Humber.
During the nine-day stopover, crews have also taken time out from
boat maintenance to enjoy the bustling and diverse city ahead of
today’s race re-start. Uniquely Singapore race partner, the
Singapore Tourism Board, organised a bespoke full-day tour for the
crews during the stopover giving them an insider’s view of the
bustling city.
Winnie Pua, Director, Brand Management, Singapore Tourism Board
said:- “We are delighted to have played host to the crew
members of Clipper 07-08. Many of them have had the chance to
experience Singapore, some for the first time, where they tried on
ethnic costumes, pulled the tarik and even sampled durians in a
special tour organised for them. We are pleased to hear that they
enjoyed the tour immensely and will bring home many unique personal
experiences. We are especially proud of the Uniquely Singapore crew
and thank them for inspiring us with their can-do spirit. Singapore
will cheer them on through the remaining legs of the race. We wish
them all smooth sailing ahead.”
The crews now face a 2,600 mile race north to Qingdao, the host of
the sailing events in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, where the
fleet will be berthed at the Olympic Sailing Marina. The first boats
are expected to finish on 15 February 2008.
With just two points separating the top four boats, the pressure is
on at the top of the Clipper 07-08 leader board. Durban 2010 and
Beyond is currently leading overall with 33 points but the trio of
British boats, Hull & Humber, Liverpool 08 and Glasgow: Scotland
with style Clipper will all be fighting to close the two-point
margin to knock the South Africans off the top spot.
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