News makes headlines as clipper speeds across Atlantic

A CLIPPER ship carrying the banner of the Evening News around the world has crossed the Atlantic in just eight days as it approaches the end of its global journey.

The Edinburgh Inspiring Capital clipper finished in sixth place after a speedy 2,080-mile race from Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, to Kinsale, Co Cork, Ireland.

Skipper Matt Pike said: "That was an amazingly fast crossing – certainly the fastest transatlantic I've ever done.

"I was really looking forward to this.

"I thought if we could get a really nice low pressure system and ride it across, that would be great and that's pretty much what we did.

"It got a little bit high in the middle of it – we got a little bit too much wind – but it was a good result for us, we're very pleased with that."

Malcolm Todd, from Edinburgh, joined the Round The World Clipper Race in San Francisco for the final two legs.

He said: "That was brilliant. It was a roller coaster all the way, we got on the back of the weather and we just kept going and kept going.

"To do it so quickly means more time in Kinsale."