Chinese make Volvo Ocean Race history to take overall lead

Six teams arrives Sanya stopover in 27,Jan, finnished the legs 3 competition of 2014-15 Volvo Ocean Race. [Photo/for chinadaily.com.cn]

The Dongfeng Race Team, the first Chinese lineup to compete in the Volvo Ocean Race with six Chinese and six western sailors, created a landmark in the 41-year history of the race when they won Leg 3 in their home port of Sanya early on Tuesday.

They crossed the finish line some 45 nautical miles clear of second-placed Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing (skipper Ian Walker/GBR) with Team Alvimedica (Charlie Enright/USA) 13.5 nm further behind.

"It's the most stressful leg I've ever done in my life," said French skipper Charles Caudrelier minutes after crossing the line. "But the result is fantastic!"

The Chinese team was established on October 30, 2013 and officially baptised 'Dongfeng'on February 26 last year in Sanya, marking the first vessel in the history of the race to be named in China.

The Volvo Ocean Race is the world's longest professional sporting event and leading crewed offshore sailing competition. The 2014-15 season marks the 12th edition of the race since the Whitbread Round the World Race was created in 1973.

The race covers at least 38,739 nautical miles over nine legs, having started on October 11 in Alicante, Spain.

Leg 3 began on January 3 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, covering 4,670 nautical miles to Sanya.

With second-place finishes in the first two legs and now the elusive win, Dongfeng currently ranks first among seven teams, ahead of Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing and Team Brunel (Bouwe Bekking/NED), with six stages to go.