Crossword Genius

Firm line held in competition in vessel (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

coracle

'vessel' is the definition.
(coracle is a kind of vessel)

'firm line held in competition' is the wordplay.
'firm' becomes 'co' (a firm is a company).
'line' becomes 'l'.
'held in' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'competition' becomes 'race' (race is a kind of competition**).
'l' put inside 'race' is 'racle'.
'co'+'racle'='CORACLE'

'in' is the link.

(Other definitions for coracle that I've seen before include "Small rounded boat" , "Small round boat of skin over a wicker frame" , "Simple Celtic boat" , "Traditional rounded boat with wicker frame" , "Welsh rowing boat" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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