Southampton could see success at the conclusion of the epic Clipper race this week, as sailor James Finney sets his eye on winning the race as it heads into its final stage in Portsmouth.

The 29-year-old's Zhuhai team sit in third place in the Round the World Yacht Race as it departs Oban in Scotland for the final leg.

After an arduous 40,000 nautical mile journey and only seven points off the lead, Zhuhai are now looking to gatecrash the top two.

The Clipper Race is an intense challenge that trains non-professional sailors to become ocean racers.

Participants from all walks of life can join any one or all eight legs of the circumnavigation, according to what suits them best.

James Finney, a 29-year-old, sailor from SouthamptonJames Finney, a 29-year-old, sailor from Southampton (Image: Supplied)

James said: "The pressure is more on the other two teams, we just need to spoil the party.

"They are trying to be cool about it but I know that they would love to win. We have to be realistic, we are the third place boat so we have the hardest job out of the top three but they are keen to give it a nudge."

Throughout the past eleven months, Finney has teamed up with first mate Mike Davies and  mentored a team of 61 Race Crew members.

With members aged between 18 and 70, representing 18 different nations, nine are closing in on becoming circumnavigators.

Together, they have weathered harsh conditions from storm winds and towering waves, to extreme temperature swings and water spouts.

Finney's Zhuhai team are among eleven in the global sailing contest, originally conceived by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first individual to non-stop circumnavigate the globe solo.

The last leg of the Clipper Race began in Portsmouth on July 21The last leg of the Clipper Race began in Oban on July 21 (Image: Supplied)

Currently ahead of Zhuhai are teams Perseverance, led by Dutch skipper Ineke van der Weijden, and Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam, overseen by British skipper, Bob Beggs.

The last leg of the Clipper Race began in Oban, Scotland, on July 21.

The race consists of 850nm of ocean racing along the UK's west coast, with the finish set in Portsmouth's Gunwarf Quays on July 27.

During this final sprint, bonus points will be up for grabs, and could potentially decide the overall race winner.