The Clipper Race Committee has announced that Race 11: Seattle Pacific Challenge will end at Finish Gate 3. The race results will be based on the crossing times of this gate.
Race 11 differs from other stages of the circumnavigation as it has five Mandatory Finish Gates which the yachts must cross. These virtual gates are present on the latter section of the race course as the stretch past Central America to Panama is notorious for fickle wind due to the doldrums or ITCZ (Intertropical Convergence Zone). The fleet also has to make its designated transit time which needs to be booked in advance of the fleet’s arrival into Flamenco Bay Marina.
Ten of the teams started Race 11 on 2 May. The distance from the Le Mans Start line to Finish Gate 3 is 3078nm. Qingdao started the race from San Francisco on 11 May. All teams are racing on elapsed time.
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The results for Race 11 will not be available until all yachts have crossed Finish Gate 3 and the relevant calculations have been made.
.JPG?w=696&ssl=1 "The Clipper Race 11 to end at Finish gate 3 4")
The teams that have already crossed this gate can now cease racing and will motor-sail the 934nm from Finish Gate 3 to Flamenco Island Marina
