SOUTHAMPTON sailor Ian Walker remains in a good position in his challenge to become the first British sailor to skipper a yacht to Volvo Round the World Race victory.

His Azzam Abu Dhabi team are in fifth place in the second leg, just 19.3 miles behind leaders Team Brunel with more than 4,160 miles to go until the finish line.

Perhaps more importantly, the Abu Dhabi team is making faster progress, with an average speed of 11.3 knots, quicker than the 10.6 knots of Team Brunel and around a full knot better than the other three yachts separating them.

The race is expected to reach the second leg finish line in Abu Dhabi around December 13.