Ian Walker will have to remain patient to get his hands on the Volvo Ocean Race silverware.

The Warsash skipper and his Abu Dhabi Race Team crew, along with the rest of the fleet, are currently pit-stopped in The Hague, Netherlands, for 24 hours at the halfway point in the final leg of the round-the-world epic.

Walker, failing a major mishap, is set to become the first British skipper to win the Volvo Ocean Race, but will be itching to get moving towards the finish-line in Gothenburg, Sweden and actually confirm victory after almost ninth months at sea. 

Walker, alongside Southampton navigator Simon Fisher, arrived at The Hague in fifth place.

Team Alvimedica’s decision to hug the French coastline paid off, with the Turkish-American crew entering port in first.

Two hours later the Dongfeng Race Team crossed the line in second, giving them the upper-hand in the race for overall podium places after nearest rival Team Brunel came home in fourth.

Hamble's Rob Greenhalgh meanwhile came in third with the MAPFRE boat, which could still sneak into the top three.

There was disappointment for leg eight winners Team SCA after Hamble's Sam Davies and Rob's sister Libby came in last to The Hague. Team Vestas Wind were sixth.

However, everything is still to play for with the race set to restart at midday local time today (Saturday).