Race 14 - Ijmuiden, The Netherlands to Hull, UK
It’s all to play for. This is where the crews will really go for it. Spirit of Australia may have secured victory in the overall Clipper Race but several positions are still up for grabs, including the final two podium spots.
Team Finland hope to hang on to second place as 6.3 points separates them and their nearest rivals, third placed Cape Breton Island, who themselves will be keeping a close eye on Jamaica Lightning Bolt, who lie just 5 points behind the Canadian entry.
Race 14’s home port team also shouldn’t be written off; Hull & Humber can still mathematically make a late charge for an overall podium finish. For this to happen they would have to secure victory in Race 14 and Cape Breton Island finish tenth, if the two teams were to end up tied on points Cape Breton Island has a greater number of higher place finishes than Hull & Humber, which would give them the superior result.
Across the fleet individual challenges are still being set, Qingdao’s crew have set themselves the target of beating Uniquely Singapore, just three points separates the two teams, who are currently sixth and seventh respectively. Race 14 is also the last chance for California and Edinburgh Inspiring Capital to secure a first podium finish, both teams will be pushing hard to secure a good climax to Clipper 09-10.
With the unusual yet welcomed good weather the UK has experienced recently, Race 14 could provide painfully light winds, dream sailing conditions or restore grey skies and gale force winds, similar to those conditions of frequent British summers gone by.
Whatever is on offer, Spurn point will soon come in to view and the incredible adventure is almost over, allowing crew members endless time to reminisce and indulge in their long list of stories gathered during some 35,000 nautical miles around the world.
As Race 14 finishes at the entrance of the Humber, the final positions will be confirmed leaving the fleet to gather to start the John Harrison Presentational Race setting up a hero’s welcome and tearful reunions for all.