SINGAPORE : Competitors in the "Clipper Round the World Yacht Race" left the Fremantle Sailing Club in Australia for Singapore on January 1.

Singapore's Deputy High Commissioner to Australia Cheong Ming Foong was in Australia to support skipper Mark Preedy and his team on Uniquely Singapore.

Uniquely Singapore is one of 10 yachts taking part in the competition.

All yachts are expected to arrive in Singapore on January 19.

They will moor at Keppel Bay in Marina before departing for Qingdao, China on January 27.

The Uniquely Singapore clipper has at least 13 nationalities represented on board.

Most of the crew on all 10 yachts have no sailing experience.

They will visit 14 ports in five continents in the 10 month-long competition.

The race will end in July in Liverpool, which is where it started. - CNA /ls