Intro:

Telefonica led the fleet out of Lorient in France for the final offshore leg to Galway in Ireland.

Groupama just need a top-four finish to guarantee them overall victory.

Script:

The start of the final offshore leg in the Volvo Ocean Race saw leaders Groupama needing a top-four finish to guarantee them the overall victory.

The 550 nautical mile sprint to Galway in Ireland, was expected to take the fleets approximately a day and a half to complete with their scheduled arrival expected early on Tuesday.

As they approached the first mark it was Spanish outfit Telefonica who had opened up a healthy lead with Puma Ocean Racing and Abu Dhabi chasing as Groupama trailed at the back of the pack.

That was the emerging pattern as the fleets made their way beyond the second and third marks.

Following their penalty start in the opening seconds of the race for an infringement on Telefonica, a resurgent Camper began to exert their influence as they moved up to second.

Meanwhile, Groupama and Sanya exchanged third and fourth places as the fleets past the fourth and fifth marks.

With the sixth mark now in the distance, Telefonica remained out in front with Camper their nearest challengers.

Puma and Groupama, were in third and fourth respectively, while Sanya moved up into fifth and Abu Dhabi trailed at the back.

Groupama have a 25-point lead over their nearest challengers Puma and the French team will clinch overall victory if they maintain, or better, their current fourth-placed
standing.