CLIPPER 11-12: RACE 12: NEW YORK TO NOVA SCOTIA – DAY 4
A sprint for the finish line for Race 12
It has been another night of competitive racing for the ten-strong fleet of racing yachts taking part in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. With just over 100 miles until race finish in Nova Scotia, the fleet continue to battle it out for that coveted podium position and crucial points.
“The fleet is locked in a closely fought tactical battle,” is how the skipper of the Welcome to Yorkshire entry described Race 12 from New York to Nova Scotia. The British entry is currently in third place, currently only one mile separates them and fourth place Singapore.
Gold Coast Australia continues to retain their lead after experiencing some near perfect sailing conditions by the northern part of Georges Bank, at the edge of the Atlantic continental shelf between 
Cape Cod and Nova Scotia, “At midnight the tide finally turned for us and our speed over ground increased to match that of the other yachts, catapulting us towards Browne’s Bank where we hope to gain another tidal advantage to help maintain our lead over the yachts to the west,” explains skipper, Richard Hewson.
All ten of the racing yachts are fiercely competing to make gains on each other. However, it hasn’t been perfect sailing for the whole fleet as variable wind conditions continue to frustrate New York and De Lage Landen, while Geraldton Western Australia has been experiencing frustrating counter currents hampering their speed and slowing down their progress.
The lead boats are expected to cross the finish line within the next 12 hours from there the teams will motor to the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron, arriving at approximately 0800 local time (1100 GMT).
