Clipper Race 2013-14: Sir Robin Knox-Johnston provides his leg four verdict, from Albany to Brisbane The biggest challenge of races six and seven were always going to be... the Southern Ocean from Albany to Sydney, and then, of course, the Sydney-Hobart race. We entered the entire Clipper fleet plus our two training boats (I navigated one of the latter, CV10). Of course they were not stripped-out like the other racers as they carried their stores and equipment for the circumnavigation, but it was a wonderful opportunity for the crews to participate in one of the worlds great classic offshore races. We did quite well (actually I managed to beat all but one of the new boats over the line, he stated modestly!). It was a tough year: calm to start the race, then a strong following wind across the Bass Strait, then a long beat down the Tasmanian coast to the finish. It is something the crews will always remember. The winners were fastest over the course because... it was not a good year for the big boats. The calms at the beginning ruined their chances on handicap, so it was a 50-footer that won overall, and a very well sailed one. If I were going to make a RKJ Seadog Award for Good Seamanship, it would go to... all the crews for the way they handled the bsh down the Tasmanian coast. The characters of the skippers are starting to take shape and what fascinates me is how you see their personalities impact on performance. For instance... Sean Macarter on Derry-Londonderry-Doire, who crossed the line first in our fleet in Hobart, has built up his team to the point where they are serious contenders. Vicky Ellis on Switzerland, who has just won the leg to Brisbane has been steadily improving as well. It is very satisfying to me to watch the way these two have brought on their crews. Around 40 per cent of the crew changes for the next leg and that will test the teams in more ways than one. But they have all done the training and the core round the worlders provide the stability and continuity in each crew to which the leggers quickly adapt. And in terms of oceans, conditions, difficult decisions, this is what they have to look forward to next leg... Brisbane to Singapore is a tricky one as it involves passing through the Cyclone belt, which may or may not occur, and then some tricky light weather sailing through to Singapore. Anyone can sail when there is plenty of wind, the real skill comes from keeping a boat moving when there is little wind.