Hampshire sailors on the Volvo Ocean Race have circumnavigated Earth.

Yesterday, the six-strong fleet of identical boats crossed one of their GPS plots from more than six months ago when they first set out on the epic race.

Now, more than 24,000 miles on, they’re on stage six of the race from Brazilian port of Itajai to Newport on the east coast of the United State of America. “I always thought I would go off and sail around the world in my own little boat,” said Hamble’s Libby Greenhalgh, onboard the all-female Team SCA boat.

“I knew there would be a small chance it could happen, but I’m a bit in shock that it really did happen.

“I’m very excited, it’s something only a few people in the world have done—wow, sail around the world.

“I definitely want to do it again.”

In latest location reports, the group of boat are still grouped together as they sail north into the North Atlantic Ocean.

Little more than ten nautical miles separates first from last place.

Currently in the lead is the overall leader of the race, the Abu Dhabi boat, which is skippered by Warsash’s Ian Walker and navigated by Southampton’s Simon Fisher.

Team SCA, skippered by Hamble’s Sam Davies alongside Greenhalgh and Gosport’s Dee Caffari, are just 2.1 nautical miles behind in second.

Libby’s brother, Rob Greenhalgh, is 6.1 nautical miles behind the lead aboard the Spanish-backed MAPFRE boat.

Dongfeng remain just ahead of Team Brunel in last while Team Alvimedica are third.