A Southampton sailor has led his team to a podium finish at a yacht race around the globe.

James Finney, aged 29, led his team, called Zhuhai, to third overall place in the hotly-contested Clipper 2023-24 Round the World Yacht Race.

After the 40,000 nautical mile circumnavigation, where James led a team of up to 20 non-professionals through 14 individual races, just four points separated the third place team from the top spot.

READ MORE: Southampton sailor's hunt for clipper race glory

It was a fierce fight between three teams for the podium spots on Race 14, which came right down to the wire when it concluded yesterday evening (26 July).

The final result was determined from this last 850nm race from Oban, Scotland to Portsmouth, England.

On his overall podium place, says James: "Well that was close! Huge congratulations to everyone across the fleet who has completed their Clipper Race.

"I have to say again just how privileged and lucky I have been to lead a team like this around the world.

"Everyone who has been a part of this circumnavigation has played their role in bringing this boat, and in third overall - that is just such a huge achievement.

"I hope everyone feels as proud as I do of the final result, and will look back on their time on board Zhuhai as fondly as I will. Thank you all again for what has been a truly awesome year."

The Clipper Race takes non-professional sailors and trains them to become ocean racers as they take on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure around the world.

Crew members from many different walks of life can sign up to take on one, a combination or all of the eight stages that forms the circumnavigation.

James led one of the eleven teams competing in the global sailing event that is the brainchild of Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first person to sail solo, non-stop around the world.

Over the eleven months James with his first mate, Mike Davies, coached, trained and led their team, made up of 61 race crew, representing 18 nations, aged from 18 to 70.

Together they have faced everything mother nature can throw at them, from storm force winds and waves the size of houses, freezing temperatures and searing heat, to water spouts and wind holes.

Nine of the crew are about to become circumnavigators themselves.

The grand Finale was set to be held in Portsmouth yesterday (27 July) where the teams’ achievements will be celebrated out on the water with a parade of sail and a homecoming heroes’ welcome for the intrepid crew.