Skipper Alex Phillips accepted the blame for the collision

Yacht racing rules state that a boat on starboard tack, with the wind coming from the right of the boat, has right of way over a boat on port tack.

Alex Phillips, 35, said: "I made a huge error of judgement which culminated in a collision in which a good friend of mine was injured. It was my responsibility to avoid the collision."

It was to be weeks before both boats could be repaired and rejoin the rest of the fleet.

'Crew restless'

Spirit of Hong Kong however got off to a better start, crossing the starting line in second place.

On the morning of Day Three, the boat took over the lead from race favourites LG Flatron.

The two boats were sailing parallel to each other with just a mile and a half separating them.

There just wasn't enough time or distance to be able to claw the miles back

Stephen Wilkins Skipper, Spirit of Hong Kong

Stephen Wilkins and crew held the tight lead but TeamSpirIT inched up and the three boats were match-racing into the night.

The following day disaster struck and Spirit of Hong Kong slipped four miles into third place.

As they struggled to get north, more miles were lost and they dropped further down the field. By Day Six, they had lost 26 miles.

Skipper Stephen Wilkins explained the frustration: "Wind has been all over the place, we have been becalmed, there is sea fog all around us, the crew are getting restless, boat is going so slow that a tadpole could probably go faster.

'Amazing sight'

"We are out here to go for broke and there is just no wind and we have lost our pole position in the fleet."

On the last day, the crew battled it out with Veritas for sixth place - only a mile separating the two boats.

Unfortunately they to settle for seventh position - a disappointment for Australian skipper Stephen Wilkins in his home port.

He said: "There just wasn't enough time or distance to be able to claw the miles back."

But crew member Charles Taylor said: "Sailing into Sydney is something I will never forget. We came in through the headland and then basically turned right into the harbour with Sydney bridge and the Opera House on the skyline. It was five o'clock in the evening with the sun setting - an amazing sight that made up for all the disappointment."