The Bristol Clipper has lost its overall race lead after a race enquiry found the yacht to be in breach of official race rules. The breach happened after Bristol collided with London on the leg between San Fernando and Singapore in April. Bristol was docked two points, and now goes below Jersey in the overall standings. The full text of the adjudication is below. Reaction from race director Colin de Mowbray talking on BBC Radio Bristol's Morning West.

A racing incident occurred between London Clipper and Bristol Clipper as both boats approached the vicinity of the first waypoint shortly after the start of Race 10 from San Fernando to Singapore on 17 April. Bristol Clipper 's spinnaker touched London Clipper's rigging thereby constituting a collision. Although it was still light, the incident happened after sunset and therefore the yachts were racing under the Rules for Prevention of Collision at Sea as opposed to the Racing Rules which only operate between sunrise and sunset.

A Protest Committee was convened at Raffles Marina in Singapore on 28th April to investigate the protest. After hearing all the evidence from both parties the Protest Committee found that at the time of the incident Bristol
Clipper had been the 'overtaking boat' and therefore had a duty to keep clear under the rules.

The Protest Committee forwarded their findings to The Times Clipper 2000 Race Committee, which includes Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and Janet Grosvenor from the Royal Ocean Racing Club, amongst others. The Times Clipper 2000 Race Committee has accepted the findings of the Protest Committee and has stated that Bristol Clipper is to be penalised 2 points. The points will be deducted from her overall points total in the race.

Prior to the protest Bristol Clipper was leading The Times Clipper 2000 by two points from Jersey Clipper. The two point penalty puts both Jersey and Bristol on 59 points and so the rule to determine which boat is ahead when points are equal has to be applied. This rule states that the leading boat is the one with the highest places in the various races that make up the event. Both boats have a most enviable record but Jersey now has won four
races as opposed to Bristol's three victories. Jersey therefore will take first place as a result of the penalty.