Clipper Race May Skip China

The Clipper Race around the world is currently sailing from Australia to Asia in Leg 5. As such, organizers are closely monitoring the coronavirus situation in China.

Here’s the latest from the event’s news feed, updated on Wednesday:

“In view of the coronavirus outbreak, the Clipper Race, in consultation with the organising committees in both Sanya and Zhuhai, has amended its race schedule and delayed its arrival into China. The fleet, currently racing from Australia, will now head to Subic Bay, Philippines, which was previously planned as the second of three ports in Leg 5. The estimated arrival window into Subic Bay is 13-16 February. There will now be an extended stopover in this port of a minimum of nine days.

“The Clipper Race team has been working on contingency plans should the fleet not be able to stop in China due to the coronavirus outbreak. The Crew Changeover date for Leg 6 joiners will now be March 6.” Leg 6, the ‘Mighty Pacific Challenge’, takes the fleet from China to Seattle.

“The changeover will take place in either Zhuhai as planned or a port outside of China, should the need arise. This alternative location will be confirmed in due course.

“The arrival window into Seattle remains the same as the original schedule. Leg 7 and Leg 8 timings remain unaffected.” Leg 7 goes from Seattle to the Panama Canal, Leg 8 through the Canal to New York City.

Three ports in China — Sanya, Zhuhai and Qingdao — were (and are still) listed as intended stopover ports, but we understand that Sanya is now out.

Ha Long Bay Viet Nam is currently leading the 11-boat fleet of 70-ft one-design monohulls. Qindao leads overall in the standings. The boats are named for sponsors, many of them for sponsoring ports, including Seattle.