Clipper arrives in Rio after ‘rough ride’

the Capital’s entry in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race has arrived in Rio de Janeiro at the end of the first leg of the race.

The crew of Edinburgh Inspiring Capital arrived on Sunday afternoon after racing 3500 miles from Madeira. The yacht finished the leg in ninth place, ahead of Derry-Londonderry at the back of the pack.

Skipper Gordon Reid said: “I am extremely happy to be in Rio. The past few days have been a bit of a rough ride.

“We came down inshore of the oilfields and just as we got to the top of them we converged with a full-on south Atlantic gale, so we had gusts up to 48 knots and sea states up to four to five metres. The crew were apprehensive to say the least but they all dug deep and got on with it. They were scared at times but they all got through it and I think are much stronger people for it. It’s a great sense of achievement.

“They’re all much better sailors than they were when we first started, all much more comfortable on the boat and really gelling well as a team. Some days it’s awesome to watch.

“They never lose their enthusiasm, they’re always smiling, no job is too big, so it’s fantastic. I’m really looking forward to continuing sailing with these guys.”