DESPITE a dramatic start, the Hull and Humber Clipper crew have battled the elements and arrived in time to celebrate Christmas in Australia.

The crew got an early festive present when they arrived in Geraldton, Western Australia, on Christmas Eve.

As reported in the Mail, the Cork, Ireland, yacht collided with Hull and Humber in Cape Town, South Africa, at the start line, delaying Hull's departure for more than a week while repairs were carried out.

But finally, after 4,700 miles of ocean racing, Hull and Humber's arrival, at 6am Australian time, was an emotional one.

Crew member Katy Bell, who recently lost her father, was keen to catch a flight from Australia on December 23 to spend Christmas Day with her family.

When it became apparent that they were not going to arrive in time, Katy's mother and sister decided to fly out to Perth so they could be there when the boat arrived.

The 28-year-old recruitment consultant said: "I'm feeling very emotional.

"It's been a very emotional couple of months and this is the best possible end to my journey.

"It's been a surprising leg and we were, of course, expecting to be here a bit earlier but having my mum and sister here is the best Christmas present ever."