Podium complete for Race 11 after a nail-biting finish

Finishing just over three hours behind Race 11 winner Qingdao, it’s another strong finish and podium in the bag for the Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam team. The Vietnamese team entry crossed the line at 19:20:26 UTC, finishing Race 11 in 17 days, 19 hours, 20 minutes and 26 seconds.

After keeping the pressure on Qingdao throughout this race, right up until the final hours, Bob, Cameron and the crew couldn’t quite inch past them for the finish, struggling with light winds and diminishing boat speeds to the line.

Image: On board Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam on Race 11

After securing second place, Skipper Bob Beggs reported: “The team are ecstatic on the well-deserved result, proving teamwork and dedication pays off. We'd like to congratulate Qingdao on the hard-fought result which they truly deserve, keeping us on our toes all the way.”

First Mate Cameron McCracken added: “It's obviously a little bit bittersweet finishing a close second after fighting so hard for the top spot for so many thousands of miles, but with points in the bag from the Scoring Gate and we believe the Ocean Sprint as well, it's still an impressive haul for the team on such a notoriously tricky and frustrating race.

“The crew showed light wind prowess and focus I didn't know they had, and I feel after a strong showing in the past two races, they really can tackle all conditions thrown at them and should be tremendously proud of their resilience and skills. We can't forget, massive congratulations to Phil, Henry and the entire Qingdao crew on an excellently sailed race and a well-deserved 2nd win of the circumnavigation. They're proving to be a formidable team.”

For the Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam team, this second-place finish along with a point from the Scoring Gate is likely to see the team move ahead to knock Perseverance off the top for the first time since the end of Race 3.

Third place was hotly contested with Zhuhai, Perseverance and PSP Logistics all well positioned for what was the final 60nm and 24hrs of racing, and with Yacht Club Punta del Este establishing a top position after deciding to head inshore for more breeze. Things were looking very close indeed.

However, taking the most westerly route, and popping out of Stealth Mode with some good boat speeds and a jump up the rankings, PSP Logistics’ decision to go furthest offshore paid off. The team sailed across the line in third place and its second podium finish of the circumnavigation.

Image: PSP Logistics team in Seattle ready to take on Race 11

Skipper Mike Miller reports: I have just come below, extracting myself from a crew dancing crazily with glow sticks on their heads, clapping and chanting "PSP!!". We have just crawled over the invisible line on a still, moonlit sea. As ever with the Clipper Race, this was an absolute nailbiter, as Yacht Club Punta del Este was charging up behind us.

“I couldn't be prouder of the team, as they fought back from 10th place, and battled wind holes, squalls and blistering sunshine. On on!”

With places still to fight for on the Race 11: #SailConnected with SENA leader board, keep up with the latest action over on the Race Viewer.