The Cardiff Clipper was the first of the 10-yacht fleet in the Clipper 05-06 Round the World Yacht Race to cross the Equator at approx 0100 hrs (BST) on Friday 14 October, unleashing the first of many messy King Neptune? rituals to the Equator Virgins? on board.

To successfully join the brotherhood of those who have passed across the Equator under sail, each of the virgins? has to stand trial for crimes of character under King Neptune, of which each are found guilty and doused thoroughly with boat slops. Crew members dress in character and gifts are then passed overboard to Neptune with messages for safe passage across the Equator and good fortune on the seas.

With approximately 300 miles to the finish line in Salvador, Brazil, the leading three yachts are still jostling for first position of leg one, with westernaustralia.com just ahead of Cardiff and closely followed by Liverpool 08, winner of the first race to Portugal. This difficult Transatlantic crossing has seen many ups and downs but since the heat and
calm of the Doldrums, the yachts are now experiencing excellent conditions with a steady 15 ‘ 20 knot east-south-east breeze. The boats are due to arrive into Salvador in the early hours (BST) of Tuesday morning (18 October).

Latest position report

1. Western Australia, 295 miles to finish

2. Cardiff, 311

3. Liverpool, 314

4. New York, 337

5. Durban, 340

6. Singapore, 353

7. Jersey, 359

8. Victoria, 397

9. Qingdao, 419

10. Glasgow, 434