There were emotional scenes in London today as the Derry team competing in the Clipper 2013-14 Round the World Yacht Race returned after narrowly missing out on a podium finish having conquered Mother Nature’s toughest conditions.

Thousands of spectators lined the banks of the River Thames to welcome home 270 international amateur crew on 12 70-ft yachts as they formed a Parade of Sail which concluded with Tower Bridge lifting for the top three teams.

Derry~Londonderry~Doire narrowly missed out on a podium finish after being beaten by third-placed OneDLL by just four points.

A total of 670 crew members from 42 different countries have battled hurricanes, survived a tornado, dealt with medical evacuations and the miraculous rescue of a crew member who went overboard in the Pacific.

Derry~Londonderry~Doire went onto make international news back in March after Andrew Taylor went overboard in the Pacific Ocean for 90 minutes during Race 10 from Qingdao China, to San Francisco, USA.

“This has been an incredible experience and something that I will never forget,” said Derry~Londonderry~Doire skipper Sean McCarter.

“It’s unbelievable to be here in London. This last race was really important to us as a team as just three points separated us and OneDLL who went onto take third place. I couldn’t be prouder of the team and how they have performed. They all worked so hard. There was never a point that they just thought lets settle for what we have, they kept pushing harder and harder all the way."

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