AN EMOTIONAL reunion marked the return of Portland sailor Tom Way to English shores after almost a year at sea.

Way, 22, arrived into Southampton last Saturday on the yacht Derry-Londonderry as part of the 10-strong Clipper 2011/12 Round the World Yacht Race fleet.

Thousands of people turned out to watch the spectacle.

Gold Coast Australia secured overall victory, as the non-professional crew on board celebrated the end of a sometimes gruelling, challenge of a lifetime.

Castle Cove Sailing Club member Way secured a job as a media internship on the unique yacht race, which enables people of all walks to experience life at sea, either for legs of the race or the full 40,000-mile, 51-week voyage. His yacht, which he had been on since the Gold Coast, Australia, finished eighth overall.

Yet despite being back on dry land for just days, Way is today returning to sea to compete in this weekend’s J Nationals on a boat called Offbeat.

Proud dad Richard Way, of Southwell , said: “A group of about 10 people from Weymouth went up to Southampton to see Tom’s finish, including me, my wife Jo, our daughter Sally and Tom’s friends.

“Tom left northern Holland on the last leg of the race to Southampton on his 22nd birthday.

“The yachts arrived on Saturday night but had to race an extra triangular course in the Channel.

“They came in about 1.30pm on Sunday.

“Tens of thousands of people turned out to greet them, there was a lot going on with a stage and bands.

“I felt proud, absolutely, and Tom’s made an enormous amount of contacts which will stand him in good stead now he’s looking for gainful employment.

“If you can afford £40,000 to take a year off work to take part you’ve generally got a good job.”

Way’s media internship enabled him to gain a huge amount of experience and aside from breaking his nose on the voyage, he returned happy and unscathed.

Two of the videos he created on route won watches, from Rotary, a sponsor of the race.

Way’s dad added that while Southampton was emotional, there had been ‘plenty of tears’ from his wife Jo three weeks earlier when they met their son in Derry, Northern Island as he arrived at his yacht’s home port.

At Southampton’s finale, chairman of Clipper Ventures, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first person to sail solo non-stop around the world, led a parade of sail to welcome back the fleet of identical 68-foot racing yachts.

Crowds lined the dockside of Ocean Village marina to welcome home the crews, who had taken on the world’s most formidable oceans, endured violent storms and frustrating calms, extreme heat and bone-numbing cold while racing ferociously to win, visiting 15 ports of call on six continents along the way.

The eighth Clipper Round the World Yacht Race was also the last race on the Clipper 68-foot yachts, as a brand new fleet of twelve identical 70-foot racing yachts have been launched for the Clipper 13-14 race, which is 82 per cent full already.

Since the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race started more than 4,000 people from all walks of life have participated.

Find out more at clipperroundtheworld.com