Despite being the last boat to arrive at the Iate Clube do Rio de
Janiero, pulling alongside at just 0300 (0500 GMT) on Sunday morning,
California will be ready to start Race 3 to Cape Town with the rest of
the fleet tomorrow, Tuesday 27 October. The team on board has done an
outstanding job, turning their boat around in just 24 hours.
As the boat motored the last few miles to Rio, California's crew took
the opportunity to do their deep clean, whilst on shore the crew joining
for Leg 2 took care of the victualling, purchasing and bagging the food
supplies for the next leg, as they waited for their boat to arrive.
California has also received the support of the other nine teams
competing in Clipper 09-10 as their competitors rolled up their sleeves
to assist with routine maintenance and refuelling.
Skipper Pete Rollason said, “The amount of support we have received from
the other teams since arriving has been overwhelming. We may be
competing against each other out on the water but when we get in to port
we're like one big family.”
Gareth Heel from Hyde Sails has been at the Rio yacht club for the
duration of the stopover assisting the team with sail repair,
particularly to the spinnakers which have seen a fair amount of damage
on Leg 1 as the crews got to grips with helming downwind in large ocean
swell. California was no exception but realising they would have limited
time in port the crew made all the necessary repairs on board.
Following an inspection to the repair on California's medium weight
kite, Gareth said, “The crew has made an incredible repair to what was a
large rip in their medium weight spinnaker. It required a lot of
dedication down below on the sewing machine to stitch up the tear which
ran from the head down to the clew. I can honestly say they couldn't
have done a much better job if they'd been doing the repair in a sail
loft.”
The yacht club has been a hive of activity all week as the teams prepare
their yachts for the 3,385-mile race to Cape Town. Some have also taken
to the water as Race 2 winners Team Finland along with Spirit of
Australia, Jamaica Lightning Bolt and Cork took VIPs from the city out
racing in Guanabara Bay. Line honours went to Team Finland, but with
sailing legends Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and Torben Grael on board it was
to be expected.
A Trade Mission of Cape Breton companies arrived in Rio over the
weekend. On Sunday they were joined by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and
Brazilian business guests for a sail aboard Cape Breton Island – Nova
Scotia's Masterpiece in Guanabara Bay near to local landmark Sugar Loaf
Mountain. Cape Breton fiddle duo The Beaton Sisters provided traditional
musical entertainment; they will also perform at a special business
reception this evening being hosted by Cape Breton Island at the Casa de
Arte e Cultura Julieta de Serpa.
Rio de Janeiro has proved to be a great location for the first major
stopover of the Clipper 09-10 Race. With the fleet hosted at the Iate
Clube do Rio de Janeiro right in the heart of the city, the crews have
taken the opportunity to soak up the sights and sounds. Whilst some
headed up Sugar Loaf Mountain and Corcovado to take in the views, others
hit Copacabana Beach to soak up the sun. Evenings have been spent trying
all the local delicacies at restaurants around the town. With the
prospect of tinned and dried food for the next two weeks the crews have
taken full advantage to satiate the food cravings they experienced on
their first ocean crossing.
The Clipper Race team is now putting the final preparations in place for
the fleet's departure tomorrow. A mass crew brief is taking place later
today where the crews will be told about what they can expect on the
South Atlantic Race to South Africa. The departure ceremony kicks off at
midday local time with a race restart time of 1500 (1700 GMT).
