After just over twenty four hours of racing up the Irish Sea from Cork to Liverpool only 14 miles separate the entire fleet, as they battle for the final three podium positions in the biennial 35,000-mile Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. New York and Uniquely Singapore are leading the fleet, but with three boats just one mile behind, there is no room for complacency. Amongst the pack chasing the two leading boats is Liverpool 08. The Liverpool team, skippered by Ben Galloway, is fighting for a victory into their home port ten months after they set sail from the Mersey in September last year.

For the Hull & Humber team, hopes of an overall win are fading as New York lead the pack. Danny Watson and his team would need to finish five places ahead of New York in order to secure an overall victory and as the miles to the finish recede, the chances of making up the lost ground are diminishing.

The fleet are currently experiencing fast reaching conditions in a Force 3 from the south west as they make their way towards Liverpool. The boats are going a lot faster than expected averaging approximately nine knots since they started Race 14 from Cork at midday yesterday, but they are sailing an 'elastic course' that can be adapted according to the conditions. The ten teams will race around a number of pre-determined marks in Liverpool Bay before the overall winner of the race is decided. The first boats will cross the finish line at the Bar Buoy at the mouth of the Mersey from 0100 GMT on Saturday.

Race Director Joff Bailey said: "The racing is incredibly close out there with only three miles separating the top six boats. It is going to be a tight finish and all the teams are battling to be the first across the line in this crucial final race. Nobody is willing to concede an inch and it looks like it is going to go right to the line." Nova Scotia has been deducted two points from their overall tally for receiving a replacement main sail in Sydney after damaging their own. The Race Committee penalised the Nova Scotia team after they received a fleet spare mail sail before departing from Nova Scotia for the final Atlantic crossing.

Earlier today, Radio 4's You & Yours consumer affairs programme broadcast a sailing special featuring the build-up to the finale of the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race in Liverpool. Interviewees included Clipper Race Founder Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and Liverpool 08 crew member Lisa Pover and westernaustralia2011.com crew member John Kimber live from the yachts as they raced up the Irish Sea towards Liverpool on Friday. Listen again is available at www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/youandyours

Large crowds are expected in Liverpool, European Capital of Culture 2008 to welcome the fleet back to Albert Dock on Saturday.

The ten-part television series which is being produced by the Clipper Race host broadcaster, Sunset + Vine | APP, is currently being shown BY Sky Sports, in addition to other international broadcasters. Full schedules are published in the multimedia section of www.clipperroundtheworld.com.

Berths are available for Clipper 09-10. For more information call +44 (0)2392 526000 or email oceanracer@clipperroundtheworld.com. No sailing experience is required. Applicants must be 18 or over and there is no upper age limit.

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