FINAL BATTLE TO THE FINISH

This time last year, the crew on board the ten-strong fleet of stripped down Clipper Race yachts were pushing themselves full throttle in the final Clipper 11-12 Race from Den Helder, the Netherlands to the finish line in Southampton.

 “This last race is where all the crew really go for it,” explained former Race Director, Jonathan Bailey. Heading into the short 260-mile sprint across the North Sea back down the English Channel to the Solent overall podium positions were still up for grabs. Just one point separated the current occupiers of third place, Singapore and De Lage Landen in fourth place.

Gold Coast Australia had secured overall victory but several positions were still to be decided as the fleet headed for home and the finish line in the Solent.

Fifth, sixth and seventh place were also up for grabs with Welcome to Yorkshire, New York and Geraldton Western Australia vying for the best possible position, only ten points separated the three teams.

Derry-Londonderry and Qingdao were currently tied on 55 points with the Northern Irish entry only ahead on more podium finish during the eleven-month challenge.

Barring penalty points or disqualification Visit Finland has secured second place while Edinburgh Inspiring Capital looks to had left it too late to move up from its tenth place although they are still aiming to try and experience a podium in the final race.

After 40,000 miles of ocean racing it came down to the final race with Singapore finishing ahead of De Lage Landen by a matter of minutes to secure the final podium position.

1. Gold Coast Australia – 151 points
2. Visit Finland – 103 points
3. Singapore – 101 points
4. De Lage Landen – 99 points
5. Welcome to Yorkshire – 86 points
6. Geraldton Western Australia – 77 points
7. New York – 77 points
8. Derry-Londonderry – 62 points
9. Qingdao – 58 points
10. Edinburgh Inspiring Capital – 40 points