Repaired Humber yacht races again

The crew wave farewell to Cape Town as their race resumes

A Hull-based yacht which was badly damaged in a collision during a round-the-world race has resumed sailing after a more than a week of repairs.

The Hull & Humber clipper was holed in a collision with the Cork boat at the start of the fourth leg at Cape Town, South Africa on 22 November.

Repair teams at the Royal Cape Yacht Club worked round the clock to get it ready for the next leg to Australia.

The crew expect to be in Geraldton, western Australia for Christmas.

Ten yachts are taking part in the voyage across the world's major oceans.

'Stronger than before'

The yachts set off on the 35,000-mile (56,000km) race from Hull in September and are due to return there for the finish in July 2010.

As the yacht left Cape Town on Tuesday, Hull & Humber skipper Piers Dudin said: "I'm really happy. She's looking good, really smart.

"Structurally she's even stronger than she was before.

"Getting into Geraldton in time for Christmas is our goal, and we'll be able to keep a good measure of that as we go.

"Quite a few of the crew have family waiting for them there so it's important they get to spend time with them.

"It's also important that during the crossing we keep up the level of training for the next race as well."