IAN Walker’s Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing team continues to hold a narrow lead in the Volvo Ocean Race second leg as the Hampshire sailor’s bid to become the first British skipper to win the race goes on.
On day 15 of this part of the race. their Azzam yacht is just 1.2 miles ahead of Dongfeng Race Team and 1.6 miles ahead of Team Brunel as the close tussle between the front three, which has been a feature of the past few days, stretches onwards.
Walker and his team had to overcome steering problems yesterday to maintain their slender pole position advantage.
Fourth-placed Team SCA are 63.2 miles behind the front yacht, with 2,200 miles to go before the racers cross the finish line in Abu Dhabi.
The all-female crew, skippered by Hamble’s Sam Davies, have closed the gap by more than 40 miles since yesterday.
It is now estimated that, at current progress, the first yacht is most likely to reach the finish on December 13.
Danish team Team Vestas Wind, who ran aground on Sunday and had to be rescued, have suspended racing and are still assessing damage to their yacht.
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