Jay Kempe will set sail from New York today aboard the 70-foot yacht, Qingdao, for the start of the eighth and final leg of the 2013-14 Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.

The seasoned Bermudian ocean sailor is rejoining Team Qingdao having sailed in the final three races of the fourth leg of the 44,0000-mile race, which included the iconic Rolex Sydney to Hobart Race.

“It is good to catch up with the team-mates that shared the Australia leg with me last December and January,” said Kempe, who has logged more than 9,000 miles at sea. “Some of them started in London last August and have nearly done the circumnavigation, which is very impressive.”

The first race of the final leg begins in Manhattan, New York, today and ends in Londonderry, Northern Ireland. The second race starts from Londonderry on June 29 and ends in Den Helder, Netherlands. The final race starts in Den Helder on July 10 and concludes in London, England.

Doing a transatlantic crossing under sail is an experience Kempe has longed for. “I have always wanted to do a transatlantic crossing, so I am looking forward to the races on this final leg,” said Kempe, who is among a crew of 60 aboard Qingdao. “Going around Scotland should be interesting and finishing in London will be special.”

Kempe has been sailing since the age of 8 and 53 years later he still takes great pleasure in doing so — especially in open seas. “Sailing at sea when the wind and waves are up and the boat is really well balanced and powering along is fantastic,” he said.

Team Qingdao are tenth in the 12-boat racing fleet that is competing for the prestigious Clipper Race Trophy. The team are led by helmsman Gareth Glover, of England, who is competing in his second Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.

Team Qingdao earned a place on the podium after finishing third in the 2,150-mile race from Albany to Sydney, Australia, which formed part of the fourth leg.

Henri Lloyd, helmed by Eric Holden, of Canada, tops the leaderboard going into the final leg.

Regarded as the “race of your life”, the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is the only race in the world in which organisers supply the fleet of 12 identical 70ft stripped-down yachts manned by a fully qualified skipper, who is employed to lead amateur crews safely around the globe.