Tom Braidwood helming in his Birthday hat, on board Green Dragon, on leg 5 of the Volvo Ocean Race, from Qingdao to Rio de Janeiro. Image copyright Guo Chuan/Green Dragon Racing/Volvo Ocean Race.
by Volvo Ocean Race media
After emerging from StealthPlay at 07:00 GMT on Saturday morning, Green Dragon has been making steady progress towards the finish line of the Marina da Gloria in Rio.
There's no doubt the Dragons are eager to finish. They've long been on reduced rations of food, making for hungry stomachs and undoubtedly, short-tempered sailors.
Diesel supplies have been low as well, meaning reduced use of electronics, to avoid burning fuel to charge the systems.
And over the past 48 hours or so, Telefonica Blue has made a heroic late charge from the back of the fleet, closing down the margin between the two to less than 70 miles.
But salvation is nearly in sight. At 15:00 GMT, Ian Walker and his hungry crew were within just 29 miles of the finish line. Their speed was still 10 knots. The problem might come as they get closer to the finish line. Looking out from the Marina, the wind is exceptionally light on Guanabara Bay. This could be the final challenge for the hungry Dragons.
Behind, Telefonica Blue is sailing in similar conditions, tacking upwind towards the line. At current pace, they would finish about six hours behind Green Dragon.
Update from SailRaceWin: At 1600 GMT Green Dragon was just 18nm from the finish, making 10 knots. SailRaceWin's ETA for the Green Dragon to reach the finish is 1800 GMT (slightly earlier than the Volvo Ocean Race prediction of 1840 GMT).
Telefonica Blue was still 71nm from Rio at 1600 GMT, making 11 knots. She is due into Rio at 0450 GMT on Sunday, 29th March.
Volvo Ocean Race
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