News

Here's one I sailed earlier

22 June 2009

Three of the Clipper 68’s - Cork, Hull & Humber and Qingdao - became the centre of the latest Blue Peter challenge on Saturday, when presenters Helen Skelton, Joel Defries and Andy Akinwolere stepped onboard to race each other in the JP Morgan Round the Island Race. Filmed for the finale of the latest series of the BBC children’s programme the three presenters battled it out on the water in the UK’s most watched sailing event.

Starting from Cowes, Isle of Wight, England, the 2009 JP Morgan Round the Island Race attracted 1767 boats, making it the biggest yacht race in the world. With an all-star line up of personalities, the Blue Peter teams were joined out on the water by Americas Cup Legend Russell Coutts, comedian Dave Spikey, Olympic sailors Ben Ainslie CBE and Shirley Robertson OBE, solo round the world sailors Dame Ellen MacArthur and Clipper chairman Sir Robin Knox-Johnston.

In light to moderate winds Hull & Humber, with Blue Peter presenter Joel Defries on board, had an excellent start, rounding the iconic landmark of The Needles ahead of the rest of the Clipper 68’s – all ten boats competing against each other for the first time. In an attempt to consolidate their lead, Hull & Humber then opted for an offshore route round the south side of the island, a tactical decision to search out stronger winds. Whilst half the fleet, including Andy Akinwolere’s team onboard Qingdao also headed offshore and lost places, Helen Skelton’s team on Cork chose to hug the coastline with poled out head sail and subsequently moved up the fleet.

By the time the boats reached the waypoint at Bembridge ledge a wind shadow created by the island had turned the mark into a massive boat park. With hundreds of yachts struggling to keep moving, the Clipper fleet concertinaed and the race was on to see who would break free first. Cork, CV5 and Uniquely Singapore gained the advantage and proceeded to battle with each other right to the line. In a really close finish, line honours went to Cork resulting in a clean sweep for presenter Helen in the Blue Peter team challenges of 2009.

Joel said, “We’ve had a really good time, lots of fun. I can’t believe Helen has won again, especially as we were doing so well at the start. We’re definitely going to have to do another sailing challenge again soon and hopefully I can win something next time!”. The presenters have spent the last series fulfilling a whole series of challenges that have included Helen’s participation in the Namibia Ultra Marathon, Joel’s cross channel rowing attempt and Andy’s accelerated free fall sky-dive.

Cork’s winning skipper Richie Fearon was rewarded for his efforts with the best prize possible, when Helen pinned her much coveted Blue Peter on his shirt – much to the envy of the watching rival skippers and crew.

The programme will be broadcast on Wednesday 1 July.