My mate Ian's round the world race with Clipper Ventures…...

[rocket]

glad he is ok and now race guys…

[Finn666]

+1

[Giles]

I was chatting to one of the Clipper Race Team today.  Not having the mid weight spinnaker is a massive handicap in medium to strong winds.  Ian is entering some light winds now and will therefore be able to use his lightweight spinnaker.  If Ian and the team cant repair the mid weight when they get to Geraldton, he will have to get a new one wich will cost him 4 penalty points…

[jimmy]

man they're brutal with the penalty points

[madmonday]

good speed,  i am looking for him in New York next summer.  can't go jumping off the ship & beating up his crew.

jeez

[Giles]

And the next leg has started…....

http://www.clipperroundtheworld.com/index.php/follow/race-viewer/

[Giles]

One of Ian's crew fell badly last week and damaged her back badly enough for Ian to have to divert to Tasmania to drop her off for hospital treatment.  Net effect is that Ian is currently at the back of the fleet.

Singapore had problems with her main steering, so had to divert to Melbourne to get it fixed.  The crew took the decision to retire form this leg and put the engine on.

[Giles]

Qingdao accepts ninth place in Race 5 - 24 November 2011

Following a meeting with his crew, Qingdao skipper, Ian Conchie, has confirmed to the Race Committee he and his team are willing accept ninth place to ensure they arrive in Tauranga with enough time to prepare for the next race to Gold Coast.

The Race Committee offered the Chinese entry the option to accept ninth place in the early hours of Thursday morning (local time), with the team accepting the offer allowing Qingdao to make best speed and course for Tauranga.

Qingdao was forced to divert to Hobart, Tasmania, during the race to New Zealand when an injured crew member needed on shore medical attention. With light winds forecasted over the next 72 hours, Ian and his crew decided this to be the best course of action as they look to make head way to Tauranga.

“Our goal is now to start preparing for the next race and to return to our more competitive position within the fleet and chase the podium we all desire,” reveals skipper, Ian.

“We are heartened by the fact that despite our diversion we managed to make  good gains on the boats in front of us but now with the wind gods being unkind we have to focus on the races ahead of us and regroup, recharge and prepare.

“We thank the Race Committee for their hard work in running the race and in allowing us to make this difficult call,” he continues.

Along with fellow competitors Singapore, Qingdao is expected in Tauranga, New Zealand on Sunday 27 November.

[jimmy]

Sorry I won't be able to make it to see them guys. Hopefully one of us on the forum will meet up with them in the race

[madmonday]

damn this hasn't been a walk in the park

[Giles]

Ian gets to New Zealand at last:

[jimmy]

That's one hell of an emotional photo

[Giles]

He was absolutel fecked.  He's effectively sailed form Cape Town with a 4 day stopover in Oz

[rocket]

man, all the best to him and the crew

[Giles]

Race start day in Tauranga, New Zealand and the weather looks crap…..

[LandoCal126 0]

@Giles:

Race start day in Tauranga, New Zealand and the weather looks crap…..

But the shirt looks perfect!

[Giles]

So, Ian has set off from Australia to Singapore on the next leg.

http://www.clipperroundtheworld.com/index.php/follow/race-viewer/

See you in Singapore Ian…..

[Giles]

Somewhere in NE Australia:

[Giles]

Ian is in first place for the first time…...

http://www.clipperroundtheworld.com/index.php/follow/race-viewer/

[LandoCal126 0]

Good shit Ian! MM and I would still like to climb the mast whenever you arrive in NYC.