‘We can’t be last into Hong Kong’ – surging Scallywag defies expectations to lead Volvo Ocean Race fourth leg
Skipper David Witt and his fellow sailors make up more than 90 nautical miles to be among the contenders to win the race to Hong Kong
Hong Kong’s Sun Hung Kai/Scallywag has defied expectations by moving from last into first place in the fourth leg of the Volvo Ocean Race, with skipper David Witt saying they don’t want to sail into their home port in last place.
From 90 nautical miles behind the leader several days ago, Scallywag was marginally ahead at 9pm (Hong Kong time) as the boats emerge from the fickle doldrums.
The Hong Kong boat is now very much in the race to finish first with the seven-strong fleet expected to arrive in Hong Kong from Melbourne for the fourth-leg stopover on January 20.
Team Brunel, overall leader Mapfre, Team AkzoNobel, Dongfeng, Vestas and Turn the Tide on Plastic occupy the next six positions. However, it is still anyone’s boat race on the straight to Hong Kong with speeds expected to increase as they leave the doldrums and try to capture stronger trade winds.
Scallywag’s surge is remarkable given that only eight hours before the last update, they were in last place as Witt and navigator Libby Greenhalgh looked for a passing lane to make their move.