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Grounding in Clipper Race

Unfortunately for the crew of CV24 Greenings, that entry is out for the remainder of the Clipper 2017-18 Race. On Wednesday, the Clipper Race office confirmed that the vessel was partially underwater on the western side of Cape Peninsula, South Africa, roughly halfway between Cape Town and Cape Point.

The sad fate of CV24.

© Clipper Race

The crew were safely evacuated after the Clipper 70 monohull ran aground shortly before midnight on Tuesday, after departing Cape Town earlier in the day on Leg 3 of the eight-leg around-the-world race. Underwriters have appointed a surveyor; on receipt of his report, a decision will be made about salvaging the boat. A full investigation of the incident is underway.

Discussions have taken place with interim skipper Andy Woodruff, original skipper David Hartshorn (who is recovering from an earlier injury), and the crew regarding their future participation in the race. All are doing well with no injuries reported from the grounding.

But it was just one week into the yearlong race, which started from Liverpool on August 20, that Greenings diverted to Porto, Portugal, following an injury to the British skipper. The race director, Mark Light, explained: “The incident occurred around 450 miles off the Portuguese coast whilst David was leading a spinnaker drop in breezy conditions. Unfortunately, his left thumb became caught in one of the lines which has resulted in some serious damage.” Hartshorn was given morphine and antibiotics aboard. “In this rare situation that the skipper is incapacitated, Coxswain-qualified crew members on board each team have received intensive training on how to take control of the yacht alongside the skipper and lead it safely to the nearest port, where further assistance will be provided, which is the case in this situation,” added Light. Hartshorn was medevaced by helicopter.

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Gray, light air remained for the first couple of days of the 24th Baja Ha-Ha, as the Navy seemed to escort the fleet out of San Diego Bay. 
I love the Baja Ha-Ha. Love, love, love it! Sure, there wasn’t much wind in the 360-mile first leg, although lots of boats got in a day or so of light-air sailing.
The following is Part 2 of a dispatch of John Tysell’s sail from San Diego to San Francisco in 1979 (Click here for Part I):   The biggest challenge of my trip from San Diego to San Francisco with my girlfriend Gwynne Crouse was rounding Point Conception, known for strong wind and nasty seas.