The 12-strong matched fleet will be hosted in a race village at St Katharine Docks, which is the official Clipper Race start and finish port.

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The harrowing, around-the-world Volvo Ocean Race is about halfway done and one boat celebrating a new lead over the fleet is getting some bad news: this might be your last race.

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In the men's 470 competition Americans Paul Foerster and Kevin Burnham, at 47 the oldest competitor in the fleet, won gold after dueling with British pair Nick Rogers and Joe Glanfield in the final race.

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The fleet of 10 identical 68ft (20m) ocean racing yachts and 10 skippers are supplied by the race organisers.

BBC: Southampton festival opens Clipper Round the World Race