Ross Hobson and team member, Andi, were in very high spirits upon their arrival at Lowestoft yesterday morning, when they discovered that their Netergy.Com Challenge (Mollymawk) entry had overtaken Branec III and was therefore the first boat in.

Completing the 520 nautical mile Leg 4 in 49 hours places them in first position both for their Class and overall.

But all has not been plain sailing. On the first evening of Leg 4 from Lerwick to Lowestoft Mollymawk severely damaged her bow, losing much of it. Despite this setback, Ross and Andi drove the boat as hard as possible over the next 48 hours fully expecting to have lost any chance of leading.

The ride was wet and windy at times, and especially difficult with the broken bow throwing huge amounts of water back into the cockpit blotting out all forward vision.

But their perseverance succeeded and both are obviously delighted to have moved up from second place despite all the problems. Ross and Andi are now working frantically to carry out repairs during their brief 48-hour stopover. The boat will be lifted later on today and is expected to be back in the water towards the end of tomorrow.

Leg 5, the final leg of the Round Britain & Ireland Race from Lowestoft to Plymouth, starts for the Netergy.Com Challenge (Mollymawk) at 10.28 hours on Wednesday 26 June 2002.