SAILORS from Hampshire took on the Pacific today as they set off on the next leg of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.

Thick fog had prevented sailors from leaving Qingdao in China on the tenth leg of the 40,000-mile journey with visibility so reduced it meant they had to return to port almost as soon as they set sail on Monday.

But this morning conditions had improved to the extent where race marshals felt they were able to able the 12-strong fleet to set sail on their 6,000-mile voyage to San Francisco.

A spokesman for Clipper Round the World Yacht Race said: “They have been waiting for the last day and a half. They had the go ahead to start while we were sleeping back here.”

PSP Logistics, who arrived in Southampton's twin city in China on Sunday, left this morning with the other crews.

The tenth leg of the event will see the crews tackle on of their biggest challenges as they sail to the United States.

The last six races will then see them head to Panama, Jamaica, New York, Northern Ireland and the Netherlands before they return to London.