Race 11 of the Clipper 2002 series to Mauritius started at 0400 GMT (1100 local time) today, from a position 12 miles west of the Sunda Straits.

The eight yachts, namely Jersey, Bristol, Hong Kong, Liverpool, Glasgow, London, New York and Cape Town, had a clean start in 9 knots of breeze from the east north east and are now looking forward to another 2,888 of racing across the Indian Ocean.

Having spent the last two months in the shallow seas of Asia, with its fishing fleets and changeable weather, not to mention the difficulties caused by SARS, the Clipper crews are happy to be facing a proper ocean once more.

The yachts are expected to arrive in the independent island republic of Mauritius on Thursday, 28 May. Position charts and race updates will commence from 1600 GMT this afternoon at www.clipper-ventures.com