Sport

Gareth Davis Sr, Gleaner Writer

Jamaica's Lightning Bolt sailed into her home port of Port Antonio on Tuesday, after a fast and furious race up through the Caribbean Sea, from Panama to Jamaica.

The fleet slowed to a crawl as they rounded the island's most easterly point as the wind died away. As a result, the last 25-mile stretch of the race took almost six hours for the leading boats to complete.

Two yachts, Spirit of Australia and Hull & Humber, were locked in battle for line honours, followed closely by Cape Breton Island and Team Finland, who were nipping at their heels.

However, line honours was eventually claimed by Spirit of Australia, which crossed the finish line at Port Antonio's distinctive orange and white lighthouse at 4:26 p.m, just three minutes and 50 seconds ahead of Hull & Humber, who scored their first podium finish of the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race campaign.

Lightning Bolt's skipper, Pete Sterling, expressed disappointment as they were the fifth team to cross the finish line shortly before 6 p.m.

They were, however, given a warm reception by deputy director of the Jamaica Tourist Board, Jason Hall, dozens of local residents, fans who flew in from the United Kingdom, and other competitors in the Clipper yacht race.

"We're a bit disappointed that we didn't win the race to our home port," said the skipper. "However, we finished fifth, and we said at the outset that our goal was to finish in the top five in every race and we've achieved that."

Colourful reception

This is the third time the fleet has visited the Errol Flynn Marina and there was a colourful and noisy reception for all the boats, with drummers and dancers waiting on the pontoon to welcome the teams to Port Antonio.

Spirit of Australia's skipper, Brendan Hall, said: "It was the closest race we've ever had."

Heather Ewing, communications manager of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, explained that since leaving the Humber on the northeast coast of the UK in September last year the 10 yachts have raced across the Atlantic twice, the Indian and Pacific oceans - facing mountainous waves and vicious storms, while facing the extremes of heat and cold.

"Jamaica's involvement in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is another element of the country's strategy to put Jamaica on the map," she said.

"By using sporting events, their sporting heroes and sporting facilities, they (Jamaica) have shown the world that they may be small, but they are a force to reckon with," she added.

The tally of points to complete the standings was expected to be completed yesterday. The fleet will leave Port Antonio for the start of Race 10 to New York on Monday, May 24.