Simon Rowell and his crew crossed the line off Holyhead in first place at 5 am today – just four minutes ahead of Glasgow but, more importantly, three places ahead of Bristol.Jersey, therefore, is now one point ahead of its closest rival with just one short 60-mile dash to Liverpool to go.
Jersey now has 94 points compared to Bristol’s 93.
With four points going to the winner of the last leg the race is still wide open – but the short distance should favour the yacht protecting its lead.
The final race begins at 6.20 this evening and will finish in Liverpool tomorrow morning.
If Jersey win the overall race it will be sweet revenge for the 2000/01 event, which Bristol won by just 1.4 points over Jersey, despite the latter winning the final sprint from Jersey to Portsmouth.Clearly delighted at this morning’s result, Jersey Clipper Committee chairman Pierre Horsfall sent a message to the crew to congratulate them and wish them well over the next 24 hours.
‘Well done Jersey Clipper, you have been brilliant yet again and exceeded our wildest hopes and expectations,’ he said.
