THEY’RE coming home!

Crews taking part in the Clipper 11- 12 Round the World Yacht Race are preparing themselves for a heroes’ welcome when they arrive back in Southampton this weekend.

After more than 40,000-miles at sea, and 51 weeks of ocean racing, the fleet will line up on Thursday for the final 260-mile sprint from Den Helder in the Netherlands back to the waters of the Solent.

The fleet of ten matched 68 foot stripped down ocean racing yachts, which set sail from Southampton on July 31 last year, will arrive back in Ocean Village for Race Finish on Sunday, after nearly a year at sea.

Thousands of people are expected to turn out and welcome home the crews, made up of over 40 nationalities, who swapped their day jobs to take on the world’s longest ocean race.

To celebrate the fleet’s return, Ocean Village will host a day of free celebrations and entertainment to mark their extraordinary achievements and the end of an epic challenge.

A spectacular homecoming programme includes an acrobatic air display by the Yaks and a day of live music and free entertainment with a line-up that includes up and coming girl bands Vanquish and Primrose Hill, and pop sensation Ben Montague, who has performed with stars such as KT Tunstall and JLS.

The fleet will arrive at Hamble Point Cardinal at around 12.15pm and will parade up Southampton Water to Weston Shelf.

It will then muster and one by one arrive at Ocean Village marina for 1.30pm.

The public is invited to join the flotilla of boats following the ten Clipper yachts which will be led by Sir Robin Knox- Johnston in Suhaili, the boat Sir Robin sailed to become the first non-stop solo circumnavigator in 1968- 69.

A large screen will be put up at Ocean Village to relay the arrival of the fleet live for the waiting public to enjoy. The event has been organised in partnership with Southampton City Council and MDL Marinas, owner of Ocean Village Marina where the yachts will be berthed.

The festivities also support the RYA’s Push the Boat Out campaign which invites boaters across the country to take to the water to showcase sailing to the nation.