West Kilbride's Daniel Smith is attempting to make historic waves in the penultimate leg of the epic 2015-16 World Clipper Race.

The round-the-world sailing teams have departed Derry-Londonderry, Northern Ireland for Race 13: The Den Helder Northern Seas Challenge, knowing all is still to fight for in the battle for the overall podium.

Daniel is an instructor at Cumbrae Watersports Centre, where everybody has been keenly following his progress - since departing London last August the teams have raced to Rio de Janeiro, Cape Town, Albany – Western Australia, Sydney, Hobart, The Whitsundays, Da Nang – Vietnam, Qingdao – China, Seattle, Panama, New York and Derry Londonderry.

With a maximum of 24 points available for teams, any mistakes in this race to The Netherlands could prove pivotal. Nine points separates current overall leader LMAX Exchange from second placed Derry~Londonderry~Doire, and while eleven points separates the Northern Irish entry from third placed team Great Britain.

Ahead of the fleet’s departure Daniel, who is skipper of home team Derry~Londonderry~Doire said: “There is no greater motivation for this team than the fantastic stopover and support we have had in Derry-Londonderry. We raced hard to win into our home port from New York and narrowly missed out to LMAX Exchange. That hurt. We still have a fighting chance of winning the Clipper 2015-16 Race so now, more than ever we will be giving it our all in these final two races.”

Race 13 got underway at 6pm local time on Sunday under mostly clear skies and flat sea conditions with a building south westerly wind, and was watched by thousands of supporters who gathered at Greencastle, County Donegal.

It was very tight on the start line but Qingdao was first across, just one second ahead of Garmin. LMAX Exchange was third to cross. By the windward mark Derry~Londonderry~Doire had taken the race lead, Garmin was still second and Visit Seattle was third, and as the fleet left Greencastle all teams had their kites up.

Daniel, who graduated from Glasgow University with a degree in Computer Science, also boasts a long list of qualifications in outdoor sports which he has put to good use teaching others at the SportScotland National Centre in Cumbrae. Daniel is a former Scottish Schools National Champion who has gone on to be a qualified Yacht Master, Wind surfing and Power Boat Instructor.

Daniel said: “I believe that with everything in life the more you put into something the more you get out. The Clipper Race will be no different. Those who really get involved in preparing themselves, the team and the boat will get the most from the race. If I can make it the best race I can for each of my crew then it will be a successful race for me.”