ADOR, who top the overall standings by seven points, crossed from the southern to the northern hemisphere in the Atlantic Ocean around 600 miles northeast of Recife, Brazil, in the early hours of Tuesday. The Abu Dhabi yacht, Azzam also marked another significant milestone this week when she crossed her October 2014 Leg 1 track to officially complete a full circumnavigation of the planet.

Team skipper Ian Walker said the crew were pleased to be back in the northern hemisphere and rightfully proud of sailing around the world under the UAE flag.

“To circumnavigate the world by ocean puts you in an exclusive group of seafarers and one which the whole crew is proud to be a part of,” said the two-time Olympic silver medallist.

[ADOR skipper Ian Walker (front left) has guided the team through one complete revolution of the planet, as Azzam continues to challenge for VOR glory]

ADOR skipper Ian Walker (front left) has guided the team through one complete revolution of the planet, as Azzam continues to challenge for VOR glory

“Returning to the north marks a change of pace for the race. From now on the legs become rapid-fire; they get shorter and quicker and there’s a lot at stake before the race end in Sweden. Forty five per cent of the points are ahead of us – we’re in a strong overall race position but remain 100 per cent focused on the Leg 6 finish line in Newport, United States.”

Since starting the race on 11th October 2014, Azzam’s crew has sailed through the Atlantic, Indian, Pacific and Southern Oceans and visited South Africa, Abu Dhabi, China, New Zealand and Brazil along the way. This reflects a total journey of close to 35,000 nautical miles sailed over 118 sailing days.

UAE Olympic sailor Adil Khalid said he was immensely proud ADOR had made it successfully around the world and was topping the leaderboard as the race entered its final stage.

“The UAE flag has been flown high all around the world,” Khalid said. “I know all our fans back home will be cheering us on as we try to bring the VOR trophy home to Abu Dhabi.”

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