Clipper Round the World Yacht Race fleet close in on finish

by Amy Martindale on 28 Jun 2012 Clipper 2011-12 Round the World Yacht Race fleet are on day thirteen of race thirteen from Nova Scotia to Derry-Londonderry. As the fleet closes in on the finish line its progress continues to be shaped by the low pressure system dominating the North Atlantic. In the 0600 reports to the Clipper Race Office, the front running teams report that the wind has turned off.

On board Gold Coast Australia, sail changes have been the order of the day in a bid to keep moving and maintain its poll position. Following in the Australian entry’s wake, second place Singapore skipper Ben Bowley adds, 'I have a feeling it shall not be long before the low that has given us such a decent sleigh ride across the Atlantic catches us and we see the centre pass overhead. This is likely to bring light and variable winds and rather confused seas. The next 12 to 24 hours could be make or break for us.'

Edinburgh Inspiring Capital emerged from Stealth Mode yesterday and the gap continues to tighten between the mid-fleet pack, with only 66-miles separating seventh and fourth place. New York finished the Ocean Sprint at 2330 GMT last night in a time of 11 hours 59 minutes, missing the chance for the coveted additional point on offer by a meagre minute and 19 seconds, De Lage Landen remaining as the fastest yacht so far.

Meanwhile, on board home port team Derry-Londonderry, thoughts have turned to the stopover ahead, and the journey the crew members have taken as it chalks off the miles towards the end of its final ocean crossing, completing 39,250-miles of the 40,000-mile circumnavigation.

The Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race is made up of men and women of all ages, nationalities and backgrounds who have taken up the year-long challenge to race around the world under sail on a fleet of ten 68-foot racing yachts.

The leading yacht is expected to arrive into Derry-Londonderry, Northern Ireland, tomorrow morning with the rest following over the weekend, where the UK City of Culture for 2013 will host a Clipper Race homecoming festival.

Latest boat positions (0900 UTC)

Position	Team	DTF	DTL
1	Gold Coast Australia	118NM	0NM
2	Singapore	175NM	57NM
3	Welcome to Yorkshire	344NM	226NM
4	Geraldton Western Australia	421NM	303NM
5	Visit Finland	471NM	353NM
6	Edinburgh Inspiring Capital	488NM	370NM
7	De Lage Landen	489NM	372NM
8	New York	514NM	396NM
9	Derry-Londonderry	594NM	476NM
10	Qingdao	786NM	669NM

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