VOR: What a record-breaking run looks like from Sam Greenfield's drone in 30+ knots of breeze

LEG 9, NEWPORT TO CARDIFF (#1024) – In the last edition of the Volvo Ocean Race the advent of the On-Board Reporters armed with cameras and microphones was popular, indeed widely acclaimed. In this addition, the OBRs have added drones to their kits, and the footage has been spectacular – not the least of which is the latest from OBR Sam Greenfield (USA) on Bouwe Bekking's (NED) Team Brunel.

Brunel is locked in a battle for the Leg 9 lead with the other Dutch boat, Akzo Nobel, skippered by Simeon Tienpont (NED) as they close in on the finish at Cardiff, Wales. As we type this just after noon on Sunday San Francisco time the leaders are passing south of Fastnest Rock about 240nm from the finish. Akzo is only .9nm ahead of Brunel. See the latest on the VOR live tracker here.

As cool as the drone footage is, don't miss the onboard video of the drone recovery, by Brunel's helmsman no less, at the end of this 1m43s video.

And if you were wondering how many drones have been lost at sea during this edition, VOR media will only say "a few."