Volvo Ocean Race / Historic victory for China as Dongfeng finishes first in Sanya

It was an unbelievable end to a magnificent leg for Dongfeng Race Team. After leading the fleet virtually all the way from Abu Dhabi to Sanya in China, over more than 5,000 miles of intense ocean racing, Dongfeng finally crossed the finish line in first place as the sun rose over Sanya (23:31:38 UTC) in a time of 23 days, 13 hours, 31 minutes and 38 seconds.

Credit : V Fraile 

#VolvoOceanRace / “Onboard Dongfeng we must stay concentrated" by Charles Caudrelier (Dongfeng)

A thrilling finish looks to be in store for Leg 3 of the Volvo Ocean Race after the chasing pack made big inroads into Dongfeng Race Team’s once huge lead early on Sunday with just over 24 hours to sail to the finish in Sanya.

Credit : S Greenfield

#VolvoOceanrace / Less than 500 miles to go, “I’ve never been so stressed in my whole life” said Charles Caudrelier

Can Dongfeng Race Team hold onto their 57 nautical miles lead to China for what will essentially be the ultimate home victory? Or will another team get desperate and make a bold decision that could cost Dongfeng their win?

Crédit : S Greenfield

Logbook / Academy Alumni sailor Jack Bouttell reports from Leg 3 of the Volvo Ocean Race

Artemis Offshore Academy Alumni sailor Jack Bouttell is currently on route to Sanya, China with Dongfeng Race Team. At just 24 years old, Jack is the first British skipper to have won to coveted Rookie division in the 2000nm solo Solitaire du Figaro race, has two Solitaire du Figaro assaults and a RORC Transatlantic Race win under his belt and is now fulfilling his dream of competing in the Volvo Ocean Race. 

Crédit : Sam Greenfield

Volvo Ocean Race / Padeye damage compromises Dongfeng, "We are not able to perform at 100%"

Reports came in a few hours ago of a new problem with the aft padeye for Dongfeng – the same padeye that broke in dramatic fashion during Leg1. This padeye which controls the lines for the big masthead gennaker (aka MH0) has once again left the determined men of Dongfeng facing a compromise to their performance with new issues to this vital piece of deck hardware.

Credit : Sam Greenfield

Logbook / "We need to fight for another 15 days " Charles Caudrelier leader of the #VolvoOceanRace

Two more obstacles to jump on our route to our home port of Sanya.
The wind shadows of India and Sri Lanka are behind us. The wind, like a river, doesn't like obstacles, and tries to go around them - leaving a wind hole behind the mountain ranges and some big accelerations on the sides.

#VolvoOceanRace / Catch us if you can

Dongfeng Race Team (Charles Caudrelier/FRA) continued to hold the edge in Leg 3 of the Volvo Ocean Race on Tuesday with the rest of the fleet bunched up behind and waiting for the opportunity to pounce.

Credit : S Coppers

For Caudrelier and his crew, the stage could not be more important: victory in Sanya would be the first time a Chinese boat has triumphed in a Volvo Ocean Race leg and the win would also take the team top of the overall standings.

#VolvoOceanRace / Need for speed

It took them nine days to leave Abu Dhabi, cross the Gulf, follow the Pakistani coast, sail down the whole western coast of India, and finally hit some wind.

Credit : S Greenfield

“Finally, we’re seeing what we signed up for,” beams Rafa Trujillo, hanging onto MAPFRE’s stern. He’s covered in salt water and grins like a five-year-old.

#VolvoOceanRace / Charles Caudrelier : "We’ll have to wait and see"

Let’s do this in order. Going into day 4 (of what is expected to be a 20+ day leg) Dongfeng Race Team are leading the fleet by 17 nautical miles with 4,160 miles to go to Sanya, China. Going back to the fact this race is a one-design fleet, a 17 nautical mile lead on day 4 is a not a bad start, not that anyone particularly wants to admit it at this stage for fear of jinxing the situation. 

© Sam Greenfield / Volvo Ocean Race

ITW / Jack Bouttell, ex Artemis Offshore Academy onboard Dongfeng : "My dad says its unreal."

Jack Bouttell. He’s 23, from Australia – and the newest member of Dongfeng Race Team’s crew. "It hasn't sunk in yet", he smiles on the dock, squinting in the Abu Dhabi sunshine. "Its still quite busy. There's quite a bit of work on the boat to do. It's all just happening!”

Credit : A Sanchez

So, how did all this come about? Well, let’s start at the very beginning.

VolvoOceanRace / Bye Abu Dhabi ... go to Sanya for Leg3 !

Leg 3 has long promised to be as hazardous a stage in the Volvo Ocean Race as we’ll see, but no-one figured it would be quite so tricky from the get-go.

Credit : S Greenfield

A thick fog lowered on to the in-shore course in Abu Dhabi and for once the sun didn’t burn it off to give the six crews the perfect send-off.