Done and dusted after 10 months

Australian team win 2005-6 Clipper round the world race

After ten months of racing, and 35,000 miles of global adventure on the high seas, the Clipper 05-06 Round the World Yacht Race came to a spectacular finish today in Liverpool – the European Capital for Culture 2008.

westernaustralia.com crossed the finish line in first place this morning clinching the title of overall winners of Clipper 05-06. This makes them the first Australian boat in history to win an around the world yacht race.

The first ever Australian entry in the Clipper Race, affectionately known as the Big Blue, left Holyhead on Friday with an unassailable lead after finishing race 12 from Jersey in second place, they then continued at full pelt and arrived across the final finish line at the mouth of the River Mersey at 0704 today, claiming the extra five bonus points in the concluding Race 13.

On crossing the line into Liverpool, westernaustralia.com skipper Mark Preedy said;
‘I am feeling pretty good! I wanted to win this last race to get the icing on the cake; it feels very satisfying to come into Liverpool first and makes our overall win sink in all the more!’

Durban Clipper, skippered by Craig Millar, finished the final sprint (race 13) in seventh place, securing them a second place overall reflecting a consistently strong performance throughout the race.

The battle for the final podium position was closely fought, with just one point separating New York and Liverpool 08 when they started the race last night from Holyhead to Liverpool’s Bar Lightship. However, a good performance from New York, who finished in second place today, meant that they claim third place overall. Liverpool 08 took fourth and was given a rousing welcome from the thousands of spectators who have followed the local yacht’s fortunes over the last 10 months.

After racing from Jersey, the fleet took in a brief pit stop in Holyhead before starting the 60-mile overnight dash to Liverpool last night. With five points still up for grabs today, a number of positions were still undecided and all the crews put in a final effort before preparing to sail up the Mersey.

Celebrations are well underway in Liverpool, where the ten 68-foot yachts have now arrived at the Albert Dock (12.30pm BST), the same place they left from in September last year as they embarked on their race around the world. A huge crowd, including relatives of the crew, well-wishers and local and international dignitaries, gathered to welcome the crews back in for what proved to be a very emotional homecoming.

Race 13: Finishing times in GMT
1. westernaustralia.com: FINISHED 0704
2. New York FINISHED 0714
3. Liverpool 08 FINISHED 0733.11
4. Victoria FINISHED 0733.40
5. Qingdao FINISHED 0736
6. Uniquely Singapore FINISHED 0741
7. Durban FINISHED 0750
8. Jersey FINSHED 0802
9. Glasgow FINISHED 0803
10. Cardiff FINISHED 0819

Overall leader board after Race 12

1	westernaustralia.com	99.5
2	Durban	87
3	New York	86.5
4	Liverpool 08	84.5
5	Uniquely Singapore	71
6	Victoria	68.5
7	Qingdao	62
8	Cardiff	52
9	Jersey	27
10	Glasgow: Scotland with Style	24.5