Dongfeng Race Team claim Leg 3 for China

Dongfeng claim easy victory. Photo: Victor Fraile

Dongfeng Race Team claimed a key landmark in the 41-year history of the Volvo Ocean Race yesterday when they won Leg 3 in their home port of Sanya to take the overall lead with six stages to go.

No Chinese team has won a leg in the race before despite two previous entries - Green Dragon in 2008-09 and Team Sanya in 2011-12.

They had finished narrow runners-up to Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing (Ian Walker/GBR) and Team Bruneil respectively in Legs 1 and 2, but took a firm grip of the 4,670-nautical mile stage from Abu Dhabi to China, virtually from the start on 3 January.

Photo: David Ramos