Spirit of Australia secured the first place?in Qingdao?on Saturday at the 6th race from Singapore to Qingdao of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.

Qingdao citizens, headed by Qingdao Mayor Xia Geng, gave the crew of the first Australian yacht a warm welcome by beating drums and putting garlands around the crew' necks as they arrived at the Qingdao Olympics Sailing Center.

The yacht of Australia has a total of 44 crews, among whom the oldest member is 62 years old and the youngest one is 23. This is the third time that Australia has fielded an entry for the Clipper.

The yacht named Jamaica Lightning Bolt is expected to be the second to arrive at the finish line early on Sunday morning. The Yacht, Qingdao, from China, ranks the third place for the time being and is expected to arrive in its homeland on Sunday morning.

The fleet, consisted of 9 yachts, will stay in Qingdao for 10 days and leave for California on March 2. The whole race has a total of 14 individual races of 7 legs, Qingdao is the last stopover of its 4th leg.

The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, held every two years, is the largest amateur yacht race in the world. This is the third time that the Clipper race has come to Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, co-host city of the Beijing Olympics.