The first of the Clipper yachts competing in the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race are due to arrive in Santa Cruz Harbour this week. The Clipper fleet’s arrival will mark the first time this world-renowned race has visited the west coast of the United States.

The first of the Dubois designed Clipper 68s are expected to arrive in Santa Cruz this morning (Wednesday) after a fiercely fought 2,080-mile race across the North Pacific from Honolulu. With most of the fleet expected to arrive before the weekend the final two boats, Durban 2010 and Beyond and westernaustralia2011.com are expected next week. The two southern hemisphere boats had a delayed departure from Hawaii due to essential mast refit work after both were dismasted during Race 7 from Qingdao, China.

For more information, visit www.clipperroundtheworld.com .