HAMPSHIRE sailors taking part in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race are spending the first day of 2014 on the high seas.

The 12-strong fleet, which has nearly reached the halfway point, set off early today on the next stage – a 1,200-mile gruelling race from Hobart to Brisbane on Australia’s sunshine coast.

Team One DLL, skippered by Cowes-based sailing veteran Ollie Cotterall and including novice crew member Dave Richards, a 64-year-old engineer from Southampton, have plenty of wind in their sails after scoring the most points overall.

This is despite coming fourth out of the 12-strong fleet during the last 628-mile Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race which ended on Monday.

The teams set off on the latest leg of the race from Hobart to Brisbane, which will see them arrive on Monday.

Speaking on the eve of the fleet’s departure, race founder Sir Robin Knox-Johnston said: “I hope they will be racing harder and much tighter and using the lessons they have learnt going forward.”

In the last race, team Derry~Londonderry~Doire finished first, followed by team Great Britain, which includes 20-year-old Jacob Carter, from Portchester.

Third place was clinched by team Old Pulteney, whose crew includes 39-year-old Charles Slater and Kate Hepworth, both from Southampton.