Sports | Sunday 24 May, 2015 3:22 pm |

Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing (ADOR) - the emirate’s team in the 2014-15 Volvo Ocean Race (VOR) - is banking on a swift passage around the Atlantic Ocean light wind zone known as the ‘Azores High’ to help get them back in contention for a podium place on Leg 7 from Newport, Rhode Island to Lisbon, Portugal.

Despite leading the fleet for much of the 2,800 nautical-mile transatlantic leg, the Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi)-backed team dropped to fifth place after snagging a wooden cargo pallet on the keel of their yacht Azzam overnight on Day 4.

After urgently clearing the obstruction and finding a decrease in their speed for the 24 hours after the incident, ADOR has now made a bold manoeuvre to the north in a bid to catch the higher winds, avoid the centre of the ‘Azores High’ and catch up to the rest of the fleet on approach to Lisbon.

Seven days into Leg 7 and with less than 1,000 miles left to race before the finish line, ADOR is in fifth place but within striking distance of a top three place.