The final stages of this leg were always going to be a bit of a meteorological lottery and the lucky boat is Bristol Clipper. Whether by fortune or fine positioning, Beggs and his West Country crew have gained a 51-mile lead over Liverpool Clipper, still in second place. Long-time leader Jersey Clipper was the lottery loser, slipping to sixth, 55 miles behind Bristol.

The leader is on track to pass The Lizard sometime after 2200 tonight. The fleet is then expected to complete the 127 miles to the Jersey finish line shortly before lunch on Saturday – at last!

Beggs’ lead will increase as the remainder of the fleet still has to beat towards The Lizard. Aside from the beat to The Lizard, the rest of the fleet will also have to deal with contrary tides, delaying them still further. The second-placed boat is not expected to finish before the evening, by which time the Bristol crew will be in a thoroughly welcoming mood.

The Times Clipper Race 2000: New Jersey-Jersey
Pos. Name – Distance to Finish (nm)

• 1. Bristol – 166
• 2. Liverpool – 217
• 3. Glasgow – 220
• 4. London – 221.6
• 5. Leeds – 223
• 6. Jersey – 225.4
• 7. Plymouth – 226.4
• 8. Portsmouth – 247