Today Qingdao left Shelter Bay Marina, Panama at 00:15 GMT. They motored approximately 60nm of shore for a Le Mans Start. Here the 10 yachts line up with their mainsails hoisted and the headsails hanked on all ready to go. The Crew wait just aft of the 'coffee grinder' for the start signal, once the signal is given the crew race forward to hoist the headsails and trim them as quickly as possible.
The race commenced at 23:30 GMT.
They have a 2100 mile race to New york. They will cross the Caribbean sea, passing between Haiti and Cuba for the scoring gate, past the Bahamas and through the Bermuda triangle, up the East Coat of America to Liberty Landing Marina, New Jersey. Before they formally arrive in North Cove Marina, New York on the 3rd June.