THE Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is back on the water after a brief stop in Panama.

Now taking on Race 11, the Race of the Americas, the fleet began the 1930 nautical mile journey on Tuesday.

Having passed through the Panama Canal in rafts of three, the fleet met up late on Sunday.

They then began their motor from Shelter Bay to conduct a Le Mans start lead by IchorCoal.

After delaying the start overnight due to light winds, IchorCoal skipper Rich Gould said the race he begun without further incident.

"During overnight motor-sail, the breeze filled and we had several large rain squalls pass over the fleet, but conducting a Le Mans style start in the dark is not an option," he said.

"As soon as the fleet came back together at first light (on Tuesday) we lined up on course, briefed our crew and got the start sequence under way."

This is the fourth time the fleet has conducted a Le Mans start during the 2015-16 race.

With the fleet expected to arrive between June 12 and 14, after passing the Statue of Liberty, race director Jason Taylor said the first leg would see them pass Cuba.

"The sea should be quite calm with small wavelets which means that those teams that helm the best will reap the rewards," he said.

"It's all about sailing the absolute best course in order to clear Cuba on one tack."

The fleet will then pass the northern Caribbean Islands and the Bahamas, characterised by "fluky winds".

"The third section of the race will be greatly influenced by the south-westerly corner of the Atlantic High with its clockwise circling winds," Mr Taylor said.

"This will bring the wind onto the starboard quarter of the yachts and we should see some fast kite runs into New York."

Race 11 sees more bonus points on offer for those brave enough, with a five mile wide scoring gate set to the western side of the course.

The first three teams through will receive three, two and one point respectively.

Race 10 sees LMAX Exchange topping the leader board with an 11 point lead.

Derry~Londonderry~Doire is currently sitting in second, ahead of GREAT Britain.

Keep up to date with the fleet by visiting clipperroundtheworld.com.