The Clipper 2002 Round the World Yacht Race fleet set off at 0600 from Jersey this morning for their final 600-mile sprint to the Liverpool finish line. The fleet is expected to arrive on Saturday morning (27 September).

After 35,000 miles of racing over 11 months, the eight international Clipper yachts will finish off Holyhead and sail up the Mersey to Albert Dock where celebrations will begin.

With just one point between the top two boats – Bristol with 81 points and Jersey with 80 – the race to the finish to determine the overall winner will be red hot. The fleet is currently battling it out in a north-easterly breeze in under a band of high pressure situated over northern France and southern England.

Overall positions (after Race 14)

1 Bristol 81

2 Jersey 80

3 Hong Kong 61

4 Liverpool 59.5

5 Glasgow 52

6 London 50 7 New York 49

8 Cape Town 25