Finland in the lead in round-the-world race

Team Finland encounters wind, water, whales and great success while circumnavigating the globe in the Clipper Round the World yacht race.

The Finnish national anthem was playing as Team Finland enters the Batavia Coast Marina in the town of Gerladton-Greenough, Australia after winning the fourth race of the ten-month Clipper Round the World event. Ten identical 68-foot (21-metre) yachts are circumnavigating the globe in seven legs comprising a total of 14 races. They started in England in September 2009 and will arrive back in July 2010.

The Finnish boat has won three races out of four so far and tops the standings. The triumphant crew was wearing Santa Claus hats bearing the message "Santa comes from Finland" when they arrived. Fans and family members welcomed the crew members, who will have a chance to rest up before the next leg of the journey begins on January 3. The destination is Qingdao, China, by way of Singapore.

Fans can follow the course of the yachts online as they brave the waves. Crew members also make diary entries and send pictures that can be viewed on the Clipper website.

Read more: Team Finland in thisisFinland.fi website