ISLE of Wight skipper Ollie Cotterell’s team was out in front last night as the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race moved into the third day of its latest leg.

The Cowes-based sailor's yacht, OneDLL was leading the pack from Singapore to Southampton’s twin city in China, Qingdao.

The 12-strong fleet, skippered by professionals but crewed by novices, split early with the yachts trying to find different ways around the many islands off Malaysia, as well as dealing with a difficult current.

Old Pulteney was in second place last night and team Garmin third.

The latest stage of the 2,400-mile race will see competitors, 12 of them from Hampshire, swapping the heat of the Equator for the cooler climate of the northern hemisphere, currently in winter.