Monday
26th February 2001, 0820 GMT
Bristol
Clipper wins - but only just!
Leg 6, Hawaii - Japan |
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The successful
Bristol crew celebrate (Pictures Colin de Mowbray) |
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The
Bristol Clipper has finished first on the latest leg of their
round-the-world race, finishing only 28 minutes ahead of their
closest rival Jersey.
Bob Beggs:
"We always knew we had a chance but it was a anybody’s
race." |
It was the end to an amazing few days of racing. It was also a
great comeback from Bob Beggs and the team - Jersey held the lead
for the previous five days.
Bristol finished last night, reaching Japan at 2136 GMT last night,
followed by Jersey at 2204 GMT.
Skipper Bob Beggs knew Bristol was in with a shot: "We always
knew we had a chance but it was a anybody’s race. In the end we
also had to tack to make the line but by that time we had snuck
past them."
Jersey's skipper Paul De La Haye: "We knew Bristol was a
threat to windward but we could not see any lights so we thought
we had it. As the sun cam up we saw the sail abeam to windward
and that’s when we were worried.
"It all depended on the wind and today was not our wind.
As we were headed our course dropped off and gave Bristol the
advantage. Five miles from the line we were forced to throw in
a tack and that’s when they got past," he added.
Champagne
corks pop at the finish line. |
The race
map shows how close the end of the race was. Bristol is
taking the upper route, while Jersey are the lower.
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