Clipper Round the World Yacht Race fleet on final phase

by Amy Martindale on 21 Jul 2012 Clipper 2011-12 Round the World Yacht Race fleet are on the third day of race fifteen, from Den Helder to Southampton. As the ten 68-foot ocean racing yachts start their final full day of racing in the series, the teams are playing every last card up their sleeves in a battle for the final podium position.

It has been a very tight 24 hours racing in light winds as the teams make their way closer to the Solent for Race Finish in Southampton. In a bid to eke out extra miles on their rivals, long watch systems and constant sail changes have been on the agenda, pulling out all the stops in slick teamwork.

This has made for another dynamic yo-yo effect on the leader board and Singapore is currently leading the pack once again, closely being chased by Edinburgh Inspiring Capital and Gold Coast Australia.

Hoping to finish the race on a high and take away its first podium place of the race series is Edinburgh Inspiring Capital, currently in second place, skipper Piers Dudin reports, 'It's all getting rather exciting and we’ve had another immense night’s racing with all sorts of cards being played. We busted some pretty nice moves on the front runners and are currently jostling with Singapore at the head of the fleet. The breeze held up nicely allowing for some great lightweight kite reaching. Earlier in the day both watches were throwing in kite gybes as if they were easier than tacks!

'With such a hectic and sleepless few days racing, it's hard for the round the world crew members to have much time to reminisce on their odyssey over the past year, as they are reminded by crew member Georg Schille's mantra of 'Focus, Commitment, Dedication!' I guess that their achievement will only sink in in the days and months to come.'

As the yachts have entered the final phase of race fifteen the race course has become ‘elastic’ as the Clipper Race Office are timing the fleet’s finish ensuring they arrive for their spectacular Race Finish ceremony tomorrow.

Due to this ‘elastic course’ the latest positions will continue to update but distance to finish and distance to leader positioning will not be available.

The Clipper Race fleet will arrive in Southampton tomorrow, Sunday 22 July to a huge celebration after 51 weeks of ocean racing and completing the world’s longest ocean race. Over 500 people from all walks of life will be celebrating their remarkable achievement after nearly twelve months at sea.

You can be part of welcoming the crew home and found out more about the Clipper 13-14 Race all day tomorrow.

Visit here for more information on the day’s Clipper Round the World Yacht Race website