More than 11 months after leaving Liverpool's Albert Dock, a fleet of 11 Clipper Race vessels returned to the North West city having completed their full circumnavigation.

It was Australian sailor and skipper Wendy Tuck who clinched overall victory on board Sanya Serenity Coast, followed closely by female British skipper Nikki Henderson on Visit Seattle.

Co-founder of the Clipper Race and the first person to sail solo and non-stop around the world, Sir Robin Knox Johnston, said it was a "brilliant finish" to the Clipper 2017-2018 race.

Asked how momentous the win by a woman is, he said: "It is not just this race, it is any around-the-world race - it is the first time ever a female has won.

"It is bigger than people think. The fact we have first and second with both lady skippers is quite remarkable."

Asked what message it sends, he said it shows that it is a "level playing field", adding: "They got no favours because they were ladies.

"They had battles with extremely capable male sailors and they beat them. I think it says to any lady, any girl, you can do it if you want to."

The 70ft Clipper yachts were raced across the planet by 712 amateur sailors - led by professional skippers - in what is the 11th edition of the biennial race.

Split into eight legs, the first was from the UK to Punta del Este, Uruguay, which was the longest opening leg in the 21-year history of the race, at more than 6,400 nautical miles.

The race finished in Liverpool on Saturday (PA)
Across the total 40,000 nautical miles, the race also visited other cities around the world, including Seattle, Cape Town, Sanya and Qingdao.

The race officially ended on Saturday with a sprint finish up the River Mersey to the Royal Albert Dock, with throngs of spectators lining the waterside to welcome the fleet home.

With 53-year-old skipper Tuck finishing on 143 overall points, 25-year-old skipper Henderson, the daughter of Conservative MP Anne Milton, was hot on her heels with 139 points overall.

The Independent

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