Abu Dhabi surges ahead as rival struggle

Abu Dhabi were the surprise leaders on leg seven of the Volvo Ocean Race on Saturday with 20 nautical miles between themselves and the chasing pack as light winds slowed the fleet in the North Atlantic. With 1,850 nautical miles to the finish in Lisbon, the Emirati team skippered by two-time British Olympic runner-up Ian Walker were firmly on course for their first appearance on the podium in an off-shore leg. American-led Puma were pushing hardest in second place followed by the Spanish/New Zealand outfit Camper among the top contenders for the overall crown. Telefonica and Groupama, first and second overall, were struggling down the field after being forced to change tactics mid-race. "This leg has had its ups and downs and right now we're on a down," said Andrew Cape, the Australian navigator aboard Telefonica. "We're totally stopped in a high pressure system." How quickly the teams can emerge from that light wind area will have a major say in how the remaining five days of the leg play out. At the moment, Abu Dhabi and the rest of the teams at the front appear to have a big advantage over Telefonica and Groupama, who could allow Camper and Puma right back in the race for the overall title unless they can make up time. The eight-month race around the world will finish in Galway, Ireland, on July 7 after more than eight months and 39,000 nautical miles of sailing. Telefonica, appearing in the race for the third time, have a seven-point lead over debutants Groupama, with Camper 13 points back and Puma 14 adrift. Overall standings: 1. Telefonica (Spain) 165 points, 2. Groupama (France) 158, 3. Camper (Spain/New Zealand) 152, 4. Puma (USA) 151, 5. Abu Dhabi (UAE) 74, 6 Team Sanya (China) 27