The arrival of the Clipper fleet in the island is imminent; with the first boats expected to arrive in Jersey any time from Thursday evening onwards. The fleet are currently off the southern tip of Ireland and have approximately 400 nautical miles left to race until they reach the finish line offshore of St. Helier. The Jersey Clipper has moved into seventh position and is closing the gap on nearest rival Glasgow, having gained 14 miles on the Scottish ship in the last twelve hours. All the boats are expected to have arrived by Friday night, although calm winds are forecast for Friday afternoon, which may well turn the Channel into “the world’s biggest millpond,” as described by former Jersey skipper Simon Rowell.
The festivities for the visiting yachtsmen begin on Saturday evening when a picnic is being held for crew, friends and family in the grounds of Durrell. Sunday will see a regatta at the harbour in St. Helier, which will include five of the Clippers hosting a corporate fun race. The Race 12 prize giving ceremony and accompanying barbeque is taking place on Sunday night in the grounds of Elizabeth Castle, and on Monday the crews will attended a reception at St. Helier Yacht Club. The fleet will leave the island on the very final race of their global circumnavigation on Tuesday 24 July afternoon, the start line is just off Noirmont Point and the start will be signalled at 18:00. The Jersey Clipper committee are hoping that local boat owners will head out to sea to cheer on the ten yachts as they commence the final few hundred miles of their epic journey and race for Liverpool, where they started from last September. | 
