Sean McCarter, skipper of the “Derry-Londonderry Doire” yacht, was taking a “power nap” when his crew opened up a substantial lead at the end of the first day of the the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.
Mayor of Derry Martin Reilly and the city’s Town Clerk and Chief Executive Sharon O’Connor give best wishes to skipper Sean McCarter before he set off for the start of the race. Included, founder and chairman of Clipper Race, renowned yachtsman Robin Knox-Johnson. Liam McBurney/PA Wire.
One, which will finish in Brest in Brittany, France, is proving to be a “game of snakes and ladders” with the lead changing hands on several occasions since the 12 yachts set out yesterday from the south coast of England.
Despite taking the lead, the Derry crew have slipped back to 10th place, however they remain in touching distance with the lead yacht, “Old Pulteney,” with both sailing at a speed of six knots.
The local yacht went ahead when, as night fell, the leading boat went in towards shore to escape an adverse tide but found themselves becalmed.
As a result the “Derry-Londonderry Doire” and the “Henri Lloyd” were able to slip by.
Sean revealed how he was sleeping when they took the lead for the first time: “After the leading duo ‘GREAT Britain’ and ‘PSP Logistics’ sailed into a wind hole, both us and ‘Henri Lloyd’ were able to open up a substantial lead that we’ve been swapping through the night. I went for a quick power kip and the guys woke me up three hours later to explain we had overhauled ‘Henri Lloyd’ – great stuff!”
He added although the Derry entry was in 10th place, it was still well within touching distance of the lead.
He added: “We are currently under Spinnaker 1 and full main heading at Ushant. Hopefully, the breeze holds to get us through the next few hours of unfavourable tide before we step on the elevator to Alderney and beyond.”
The first race is a “short sprint” to Brest from where the competitors will set out for the 2016 Olympic host city Rio in Brazil to complete leg one.
The fleet will not be returning until July next year after a total crew of 670, 40,000 miles and visit 16 ports on six continents. They are due to visit Derry next June.
To keep up to date with the race, continue to visit Derry Daily as will be bringing regular daily updates.
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