Hong Kong boat Scallywag’s lead cut in half in Volvo Ocean Race as they switch off radar in the dash for home

David Witt and navigator Libby Greenhalgh finally decide to follow the fleet and gybe but lose more than 40 miles before going into stealth mode

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The Sun Hung Kai/Scallywag crew on their way to Hong Kong. Photo: Konrad Frost/Volvo Ocean Race

Published: 12:00pm, 18 Jan 2018Updated: 1:41pm, 18 Jan 2018

Hong Kong’s Sun Hung Kai/Scallywag added an intriguing twist to the final stages of leg four of the Volvo Ocean Race as they went into stealth mode after their lead was cut by almost half with less than 700 nautical miles to the finish line at Victoria Harbour.

David Witt and his crew had stubbornly pursued a more northerly course when they led by 90nm from Vestas 11th Hour Racing but as they headed for the Philippines, the other boats decided to gybe to take a lower route.

Scallywag was the only boat to maintain a largely straight path that helped them maintain a healthy lead. However, the winds were definitely stronger to the south and it was just a matter of time before the Hong Kong boat would gybe to catch those faster gusts.

And when they eventually did, their lead rapidly narrowed until Vestas was only 45nm miles behind. That was when Witt decided to knock out the radar and go into stealth mode, which means Scallywag’s position will not be revealed until Friday morning or when they are within 200 miles of the finish line – whichever comes first.

Race analysts had earlier questioned whether or not Scallywag’s decision not to gybe earlier would cost them the race. Hong Kong fans now face a tense wait until Friday morning (7am HK time) to find out if the gamble paid off.

It’s anyone’s guess and even Scallywag crew member Annemieke Bes tweeted “Where o where shall we be”.