A racing yacht skippered by a Colchester woman has finished the starting race in the first leg of a round-the-world race.

The New York, one of eight boats taking part in the prestigious Clipper race, has managed to take fourth position as the boats arrived at the first stop-off point in Portugal.

Former Colchester schoolgirl Sam Fuller has already made history by becoming the first woman to skipper a boat in the Clipper race and is now well on course to perform well in the race.

Late on Sunday night, the New York was reported to have a lead of just over ten miles on its closest rivals, the Hong Kong, the Jersey and the London, all of whom had just three miles between them.

Published Tuesday November 5, 2002

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