QINGDAO : The 10 teams competing in the "Clipper Round the World Yacht Race" left Qingdao, China, on Sunday afternoon for the 4,400-mile journey to Hawaii.

They are expected to reach their next stop on March 20.

The Clipper Teams had just one week to recover from the last stage of the race, a 2,000-mile race from Singapore where the crews were battered by storm force winds and huge seas.

Currently, the South African boat "Durban 2010 and Beyond" is first in the international race, while "Uniquely Singapore" is currently in ninth place.

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

The 10-month long race started in Liverpool, United Kingdom, on September 16 last year.

The yachts will visit 14 ports in five continents and the race will end in July in Liverpool. - CNA/de