The yacht skippered by Hampshire sailor Ian Walker (below) has a narrow lead this evening in the fourth leg of the Volvo Ocean Race.

Walker’s Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing team was just one-tenth of a mile ahead of fierce rivals Dongfeng at the time check, having made up a deficit of five miles from the previous checkpoint.

They were also reportedly travelling faster than the Chinese-backed yacht, while third-placed MAPFRE – just over a mile behind – were also gaining ground.

The competitors are still more than 1,330 miles from the stage finish at Auckland in New Zealand.