Clipper Round the World Yacht Race - Visit Finland takes lead

by Heather Ewing on 18 May 2012 Clipper 2011-12 Round the World Yacht Race fleet are on the fourth day of race eleven from Panama to New York. The battle for victory has quickly turned into a game of cat and mouse as Gold Coast Australia is first to cross the Scoring Gate, claiming the maximum three points, but have also surrendered their lead to Visit Finland.

This morning also sees a number of teams make either a quick dash for the remaining points up for grabs at the Scoring Gate or choose to concentrate on the overall race to New York.

The ten-strong fleet taking part in the Clipper Race has been continually tested by fickle wind conditions over the last 24 hours and a range of tactics have played out by the skippers and crew members.

'We are ecstatic about our victory that came after a frustrating day of light and unpredictable wind,' explains Gold Coast Australia skipper, Richard Hewson.

'The team worked very hard to pick the shifts and optimise boat speed throughout the day and managed to beat De Lage Landen, Derry-Londonderry and Singapore to the gate amongst some very tight competition.'

Dutch entry, De Lage Landen secured two extra points as they crossed the line just an hour after the Australian entry.

Latest boat positions (0900 UTC)
Position Team - DTF / DTL
1 Visit Finland - 1181MN / 0NM
2 Gold Coast Australia - 1183NM / 2NM
3 De Lage Landen - 1188NM / 7NM
4 Singapore - 1199NM / 18NM
5 Derry-Londonderry - 1199NM / 18NM
6 Edinburgh Inspiring Capital - 1204NM / 23NM
7 Geraldton Western Australia - 1208NM / 27NM
8 Edinburgh Inspiring Capital - 1210NM / 29NM
9 Qingdao - 1212NM / 31NM
10 Welcome to Yorkshire - 1227NM / 46NM

Full positions are updated every three hours and can be found online.

www.clipperroundtheworld.com/" target="_blank">Clipper Round the World Yacht Race website