Volvo Ocean Race on longest-ever leg

The Volvo Ocean Race has set out across the Pacific Ocean on the longest leg in the history of the event, with Ericsson 4 leading the standings.

The fifth of 10 legs will take the crews from the Yellow Sea port of Qingdao, across the Pacific and via Cape Horn to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The distance is 12,300 nautical miles (22,800 kilometers), the longest in the history of the round-the-world race.

Crews are expected to arrive in South America about March 20.