Possible Clues:

• Type of test
• Ill-fated vessel in French tributary of Rhone
• Standig for the last at first
• Scrap university competition to secure new expedition vessel
• Tenacity shown by nun struggling with a creed
• The last comes first and it's staying like this
• ... stay to demonstrate it
• Stoicism, a creed nun revived
• Standing like this
• Finish wretched run with ace stamina