Dragon third against the odds

Sailing: Ireland's Green Dragon has moved joint-second overall in the Volvo Ocean Race despite sailing without a boom. A 50 knot squall broke the boom on Tuesday but the crew have battled on regardless and secured three points at the Mauritius scoring gate before the journey north to India.

Navigator Ian Moore said today: "So we have a new game, learning to sail without a boom, getting third at the scoring gate and you never know maybe even a result on the leg.

"We can see by the length on the Scheds that we are not the only ones having a few issues out here."

The Dragon was first to gybe north towards the equator, where calmer seas await, but before that there is a band of high pressure to negotiate.

Once in more hospitable conditions an attempt will be made to fix the boom and chase down the two leading Ericsson boats.

"We hope to start the repair when conditions improve and when the temperature rises a bit for the glue and resin we have onboard to cure," said skipper Ian Walker today.

"We are thrilled to get 3rd place and 3 points at the Mauritius scoring gate. This has been our sole focus since breaking the boom two days ago. 

"India still feels an awful long way away right now. We hope to start the repair when conditions improve and when the temperature rises a bit for the glue and resin we have onboard to cure."