Spirit of Australia set for Panama Canal transit today - 11 May 2011
Spirit of Australia is due to begin her Canal transit at 1645 local time today (2145 GMT). The yacht will pass under the imposing Bridge of the Americas spanning the entrance to the Canal, one of the great engineering achievements of the modern world.
Forty-eight miles long, the canal rises to 28 metres above sea level through a series of huge locks. As the 68-foot long ocean racing yachts pass through they are likely to be dwarfed by a tanker, cargo ship or cruise liner in the neighbouring set of locks.
You can follow their progress through the first flight of locks at Miraflores via the webcam.
As the gates close on the Pacific Ocean it is a time for reflection, particularly the round the world crew members, who will begin to get a sense that a major part of their journey has come to an end, and when the massive steel gates open into the Caribbean they are beginning their journey home. Of course, with six individual races still to come there is plenty of action left in this edition of the contest which is raced by people like you.
In Shelter Bay Marina at the Caribbean end Spirit of Australia will join Cork as she undergoes final preparations to rejoin Clipper 09-10. The crews will wait for the other teams before setting off for the Race 9 start line and the sprint upwind to Port Antonio on the beautiful north coast of Jamaica.
Skippers reflect on tough race
07 September 2010
Hull & Humber and Edinburgh Inspiring Capital crossed the finish line opposite the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes on Saturday to complete the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race. With storm force winds forecast off the west coast of Ireland before the start, race organizers, RORC made the decision that the boats would race anti-clockwise around the course. Despite this, it was still a tough race with the weather delivering upwind conditions for the fleet the majority of the way round.
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Global Trophy displayed at Australia House, London
06 September 2010
The magnificent crystal glass trophy awarded to Spirit of Australia following the sailing teams overall victory in the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race has been presented to Western Australia’s London based Agent General, Kerry Sanderson.
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