Eight yachts are taking part in the 11-month 34,000-mile race

Bad weather forecasts for 72 hours from Saturday convinced the organisers to call a halt to the Hong Kong to Indonesia leg of the global challenge.

Their decision to stop the race at Kota Kinablalu, Malaysia, meant the Hong Kong yacht took first place, followed by Glasgow and Bristol.

Less than two weeks ago organisers called off the Hong Kong to the Philippines leg of the challenge over fears about Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars).

Race cancelled

Officials in La Union refused the fleet permission to enter the port, effectively cancelling the San Fernando Race and forcing the crews to sail straight for Singapore.

And on Friday, Sars prompted another change to the route, when the Republic of Singapore Yacht Club, which had been due to host the Clippers' visit to the country, asked the boats not to moor there.

The eight yachts taking part in the race are now refuelling at Kota Kinablalu before continuing on to Batam in Indonesia, a 30-minute ferry ride from Singapore.

A spokesman for Clipper Ventures said: "The racing remained incredible tight all the way to the end and congratulations are due to all of the skippers and crews.

First place

"Special recognition is due to Justin Taylor and his crew aboard Hong Kong Clipper on their third race win of the series."

The route changes mean Jersey Clipper is still in first place overall, with the Bristol yacht - winner of the 2000 race - close behind.

Hong Kong is in third position, followed by Liverpool and Glasgow ahead of London, New York and Cape Town.

The Clipper race, held every two years, is the world's longest circumnavigation challenge, lasting almost a year and 34,000 miles.