Clipper's chairman Sir Robin Knox-Johnson says that his company 'is now poised to show reliable, profitable growth in the years to come', as it reported losses cut from £1.2m to £417,000 for the year to 30 April. Turnover increased 72% to £2.8m, £1.6m of it generated by crew fees from the company's Times Clipper 2000 'around the world' race (crew members paid up to £27,000 for the privilege of circumnavigating the globe on yachts skippered by Clipper employees). Crew signings for the 2002 race are running at twice the rate for the 2000 one, and at higher prices. Profits for this year should hit £300,000 according to Hoodless Brennan analyst Johan Unnerus, with 2.2p earnings, though the group'could surprise on the upside' depending on sponsorship deals.