Clipper in rudder trouble

crew members on the Capital’s entry in the Clipper Round the World yacht race are preparing to dive beneath the boat to free something caught on its rudder – while they continue to sail.

Edinburgh Inspiring Capital is racing towards Cape Town on the third race of the year-long challenge, which was won yesterday by the Gold Coast Australia crew.

Edinburgh skipper Gordon Reid said a rope or fishing net appeared to have caught around the boat’s rudder and would need to be freed.

He said: “In a marina it’s an easy job but in 20 knots of breeze on big ocean swell, swimming three metres under a 40-tonne boat is no walk in the park so we’re waiting until conditions are more favourable.”