In only his third leg as skipper of New York Clipper, Gosport's Ross Daniel proved his expertise as he steered the boat across the finish line into Salvador in pole position last Friday morning.

With 13 legs in the bag, New York Clipper has now claimed both transatlantic crossings.

Racing from Cape Town to Brazil, a tactical decision on Daniel's part to dash to the north and avoid the calms of the South Atlantic High proved successful.

For the last ten days of the 3,375 nautical mile race the New Yorkers led the fleet as they raced across the South Atlantic.

Their course, however, was dogged by breakages in the final stages. However, they managed to keep the opposition at bay despite suffering some serious damage to both their heavy and medium weight spinnakers.

As they approached the coast of Brazil wind conditions towards the coast became increasingly squally and variable resulting in some tough sailing and much sewing time below decks in order to maintain their lead.

Meanwhile, Richard Butler and his Bristol Clipper crew looked certain for second place, but during the 3am radio schedule the steering cable parted and, with just over 20 miles to the finish line, Bristol Clipper broached with her spinnaker set. Suddenly this usually orderly boat became a nightmare, while she lay on her side and all the crew scrambled on deck in the middle of the night.

The sheets were freed and the boat came upright and all the equipment and sails were recovered, without damage.

Bristol Clipper's next action was to get the emergency tiller rigged and regain steerage way as somewhere out in the darkness the Cape Town crew were bearing down on them. Their 12-mile lead was safe, however, and Bristol Clipper crossed the line in second place.

The Bristolians are now overall leaders of the Clipper 2002 Race with Jersey Clipper locked in battle with Hong Kong at the back of the fleet.

Cape Town Clipper, skippered by Roger Steven-Jennings, scored its first podium finish, crossing the finish line into Salvador in third place.

London Clipper, skippered by Gosport's Rory Gillard, was the fourth yacht to finish, storming across the line on a lumpy sea and in pouring rain.

After some 3,375 nautical miles, the final boats were separated by a mere three minutes.

Race 13 finishing order

1 New York, 2 Bristol, 3 Cape Town, 4 London, 5 Glasgow, 6 Liverpool, 7 Jersey, 8 Hong Kong.

Overall positions (provisional) after 13 races

1 Bristol, 2 Jersey, 3 Liverpool, 4 Hong Kong, 5 London, 6 Glasgow, 7 New York, 8 Cape Town.