Schedule 7 is the first race of the fifth stage of the 2023-24 Clipper Round the World Yacht Race: the Asia Pacific Challenge, with a sailing distance of approximately 4500 nautical miles. Eleven Clipper boats are about to embark on this "long voyage race", with the destination of the race being Xialongwan, Vietnam.
After the competition starts, the Clipper fleet first needs to sail through the Coral Sea, and then enter the vast Pacific Ocean. The competition is expected to take about 28 days. This race is one of the longest and most technically and tactically challenging races in the entire season of the Clipper Round the World Sailing Race. The fleet will encounter various weather and sea conditions such as extreme high temperatures during the race.
赛程7是2023-24赛季克利伯环球帆船赛第五赛段：亚太挑战赛段的第一场比赛，航行里程约为四千五百海里，十一艘克利伯赛船即将开启这场“长航赛”，本场比赛目的地是越南下龙湾。
比赛开始后，克利伯船队首先要驶过珊瑚海，之后便要进入到浩瀚的太平洋海域，比赛预计耗时大概是28天。本场比赛是整个赛季克利伯环球帆船赛中距离最长的比赛之一，同时也是最具技战术考验性的一场，比赛船队途中会遭遇极端的高温等各种各样的天气海况。
The fifth stage will comprehensively test the sailing skills, endurance, and willpower of the participating crew members. In the first race of over 4000 nautical miles, the crew will once again cross the equator and return to the northern hemisphere. After the passage of the equatorial windless zone, the fleet will encounter suffocating storm weather and strong gusts. In addition to various challenging elements, it can also be considered as a way to calm down the crew who have just experienced the hot equatorial crossing. It is indeed a natural arena that fully demonstrates the spirit of navigation, unity and cooperation, and the ability to cope with unexpected weather and sea conditions. It is a long-term and all-round test for the sailing knowledge, skills, understanding and understanding of weather and sea conditions elements, as well as the tenacious adventurous spirit of the participating crew members.
The participating crew members will once again "meet" with the Sea King, and a certain number of crew members will undergo the baptism process of transforming from rookies to experienced drivers. For the participating crew members of the entire global competition stage, it is a moment worth looking forward to and celebrating, with two victories: crossing the equator twice!
第五赛段将会全面考验参赛船员们的航海技艺、忍耐力和意志力。四千余海里的首场比赛中，船员们将会再次跨越赤道回到北半球，赤道无风带通道过后，船队将会遭遇令人窒息的风暴天气和强阵风，除了各种挑战元素以外，也算是给刚刚经历炎热赤道穿行的船员们“冷静”一下了。确实是充分展现航海精神、团结协作和应对不预期天气海况能力的天然赛场，对于参赛船员们的航海知识、技能、对天气海况元素的理解认识以及坚韧不拔的冒险精神是一次长时间、全方位的考验。
参赛船员们将再次和海王“会面”，又会有一定数量的船员要接受从菜鸟变身老司机的洗礼过程了，而对于环球全赛段的参赛船员来说，更是值得期待和庆祝的时刻，梅开二度：两次跨越赤道！
Pre competition group photo of Qingdao
In this game, every decision made by the fleet will play a crucial guiding role in the subsequent competition process. Accurate navigation, seamless connection, and teamwork will fully showcase the significant characteristics of ocean navigation competitions in this long-distance sailing competition.
Before departure, "Qingdao" Chief Officer Henry Harriet shared his analysis and expectations for this game: "There are two main challenges in this competition: one is the equatorial windless zone and high temperatures, and the other is gusts. The gusts in the sea area of this route are relatively strong and fast, so making early predictions and changing sails is crucial. During the process of passing through the equatorial windless zone channel, what we need to do is to maintain a positive attitude and find ways to make the competition more enjoyable."
The Clipper fleet departed from the Coral Sea Pier in Elly Beach on January 26th local time, and the departure procedures have been completed.
“青岛号”赛前合影
本场比赛中，船队的每个决定都会对后续的比赛过程起到至关重要的导向作用。精准导航、无缝衔接、团队合作，本次长航赛将充分展现出远洋航海比赛的显著特色。
离港出发之前，“青岛号”大副亨利·哈雷特分享了对本场比赛的分析和期待：“这场比赛有两个主要的挑战：一个是赤道无风带和高温，另一个就是阵风。这次航线海域上的阵风强度是比较大的，而且速度快，所以说提早做出预判和进行换帆操作是关键，而在通过赤道无风带通道过程中，我们需要做的就是保持积极的心态，想办法让比赛变得更有乐趣一些。”
克利伯船队已于当地时间1月26日驶离艾尔利滩珊瑚海码头，离境手续办理完毕。
