Clive Williams was today celebrating winning the fourth leg of the Clipper 2002 Round the World yacht race.

The 41-year-old is crewing on the Bristol Clipper during the 11-month global challenge and is now resting in Mauritius.

Williams, from Southend, joined the boat halfway through its epic voyage and spent three weeks racing across the Indian Ocean from Indonesia.

"Everyone aboard the Bristol yacht is on cloud nine having clinched victory into Mauritius," said the self-employed property manager.

"It was a truly nail biting finish, which makes the result especially rewarding.

"The first three clippers were all within 41 minutes of one another and each held the lead during the last 96 hours of race 11."

Bristol Clipper arrived home just 14 minutes ahead of Hong Kong Clipper after the gruelling 3,000 mile voyage.

And the efforts of Williams and his shipmates means Bristol (60 points) has closed the gap between leaders Jersey (63 points) to just three points after 23,000 miles of racing.

London-born Williams will now sit out the Mauritius to Cape Town, South Africa, and Cape Town to Brazil legs.

But he will be back on board for the final stint from Brazil to New York and then to the finish in Liverpool in September.

Speaking of his time on board, Williams added: "We've experienced highs as well as lows, typical for such a long ocean race.

"Although any lows are hidden by the glow of satisfaction from winning after the last three weeks of intense competition."

Published Wednesday, June 4, 2003

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