Clipper Round the World Yacht Race fleet face tightly packed finish

by Ruth Harrington on 20 Jul 2012 Clipper 2011-12 Round the World Yacht Race fleet are on the second day of race fifteen, from Den Helder to Southampton. With just three days until the world’s longest ocean race concludes in Southampton, the ten strong teams of racing yachts face a tightly packed finish, as the teams fight it out for the final podium position.

Over the last 24 hours it’s all change at the top of the leader board. After a tricky start to race fifteen, Welcome to Yorkshire has redeemed itself and is now in first place. Hot on its heels is De Lage Landen and Edinburgh Inspiring Capital respectively. Current first place in the overall race, Gold Coast Australia, shocked everyone by slipping into tenth place at one stage; the determined team are currently in seventh place.

While light winds continue to challenge the fleet’s progress, Olly Osborne, skipper of the Finnish entry Visit Finland describes the tactical race that lies ahead of the fleet, 'It looks like this race is going to become a very tactical light airs challenge, and with such variable conditions and tidal gates ahead, we still have a chance to enter our home waters at the front of the pack.'

The Clipper Race fleet will arrive in Southampton this 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.

Visit here for more information on the day’s events.

Latest boat positions

Position	Team	DTF	DTL
1	Welcome to Yorkshire	118 NM	0 NM
2	De Lage Landen	118 NM	0 NM
3	Edinburgh Inspiring Capital	119 NM	1 NM
4	Singapore	119 NM	1 NM
5	Derry-Londonderry	121 NM	3 NM
6	Qingdao	121 NM	3 NM
7	Gold Coast Australia	124 NM	6 NM
8	Visit Finland	127 NM	9 NM
9	New York	128 NM	10 NM
10	Geraldton Western Australia	135 NM	17 NM

Full positions are updated every three hours and can be found online along with daily skipper Clipper Round the World Yacht Race website