The Bermuda Tourism Authority hosted the much anticipated Clipper Race prize-giving ceremony at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club.

Clipper Race teams, staff and crew came together to celebrate the results of Race 11, titled the “Seattle Pacific Challenge”, and Race 12, “Go To Bermuda”.

A Gombey troupe kick-started the celebrations with a dance performance welcoming the guests to the event. Remarks followed from Clipper Race founder and chairman Sir Robin Knox Johnston, and Tracey Berkeley, interim chief executive at Bermuda Tourism Authority, congratulating the crews on their feats and welcoming to the race the newcomers who will be sailing on the final “Atlantic Homecoming Leg”.

The first race to be celebrated was Race 11, in which the fleet sailed almost 6,000 nautical miles from Seattle to Panama.

This was a tactical race starting off with some fast, downwind sailing in the North Pacific, through to lighter and more fickle winds down the coast of Mexico and Central America.

Ahead of the podium awards, the Race 11 Dell Latitude Rugged Ocean Sprint results were announced, with Qingdao taking victory.

The race featured some close match racing and a tense wait for the final results as elapsed times were calculated. Ha Long Bay was crowned the winner, adding yet another win in the Clipper Race, bringing its total to three, and seven podium positions.

Punta del Este claimed second place and GoToBermuda was third, a first podium place in the race.

There was further joy for Punta del Este, which was announced winner of the Race 12 Dell Latitude Rugged Ocean Sprint results.

Next up, the podium positions were announced. This race was a real nail-biter as shifting conditions and wind holes, combined with tactical moves like Stealth Mode, meant that race standings were regularly shaken up. Three teams, WTC Logistics, Zhuhai and GoToBermuda, also played their joker double points option, making it an even more competitive race.

The decision reaped rewards for two of the teams as third place went to WTC Logistics, while GoToBermuda clinched second place. The result being met with a huge cheer, by the team having claimed its highest podium place and at its home port to boot.

Victory went to Visit Sanya, which was awarded its trophy and winning pennants by Rena Lalgie, the Governor.

With the yachts now moored up at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, the teams will continue to prepare the boats for the final leg.