Clipper Round the World Yacht Race on its Last Leg

Irish Sea, UK - The sailing fleet from the 07-08 Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is now on the final stretch, and expected to land in Liverpool Saturday the 5th of July. This 14th leg of the 35,000 mile race is a short sprint from Cork, Ireland to Liverpool, UK, and will give the sailing teams the chance for one last competition before closing the loop on their circumnavigation.

New York saw it's fifth victory in leg 13 - Nova Scotia to Cork - and leads on the board overall. Hull & Humber is close behind in points, and with New York sitting dead last in leg 14 at last check, has a shot at first place overall. Hull & Humber skipper, Danny Watson said, “First is still possible. We’ve got a bit of work to do but anything can happen. There’s still great belief on board as there has been all round, everybody’s going to give it their best shot and we’re going to go for it.”

All teams are pushing for the finish, but many aboard are not without some mixed feelings regarding the end of what has been, for many, a life-changing experience. Said Ian Tomo from Liverpool 08 about the homecoming: “Soon we will all be home. We on Liverpool 08 and all the crews of all the Clippers will go home and will attempt to tell their tales of being force-fed tuna pasta bake and drinking ´Tang; boasting of their prowess in clutching onto an unfeasibly small porcelain bowl at a 30 degree angle in a Force 8 gale yet still retain a modicum of dignity; and tell of new friendships, some which may shortly fade and others which will last a considerable time.”

-- CLIPPER ROUND THE WORLD YACHT RACE CURRENT OVERALL STANDINGS --

1      New York                          93.5
2      Hull & Humber                    90
3      Glasgow:Scotland with style 82
4      Qingdao                            70.5   
5      Liverpool 08                       69.5   
6      Durban 2010 and Beyond      67   
7      westernaustralia2011.com    63   
8      Uniquely Singapore              60   
9      Nova Scotia                       51.5   
10    Jamaica                             36.5   

- YC

Video: The yacht Hull & Humber leaves Nova Scotia sailing for Cork, Ireland in penultimate stage of Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.