Race 11 Win - Panama Canal to New York 

27 May 2012 - Australia has won Race 11, Panama to New York, as the Australian team takes another step closer to overall victory in the Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race.

The Australian entry crossed the finish line, which is located around 50 miles from New York, at 0526 GMT (0126 local time).

Skipper, Richard Hewson, couldn’t contain his excitement after his team secured their ninth first place of the race.

“I am elated with winning this race as at different stages in the race it could have been won by any of the yachts in the fleet.

“The fleet was so close this race and the pressure was on the entire duration of the race. The crew of Gold Coast Australia worked incredibly hard in hot, fluky and squally conditions. Some days we were conducting over 30 sail changes, most of them requiring all hands on deck requiring the crew to get involved during their off watch time and play the game - which we won,” continues Richard.

“This is our ninth victory and yellow pendent in the series of races and every win feels so incredibly special.  We are working hard and realising our objectives, our goals and our dreams together and the team has really bonded well.  I am very impressed with the performance of the boat and crew and the slickness of each sail change evolution throughout the race.”

Visit Finland finished in second place crossing the finish line at 0736 GMT (0336 local time) while Dutch entry, De Lage Landen, claimed third place crossing the line at 0849 GMT (0449 local time).

The teams will arrive in Liberty Landing in New Jersey approximately six to seven hours after crossing the finish line.