Ian Walker/GBR (pictured) and his crew were in fourth place and sailing in 17 knots of breeze upwind and a short, choppy sea, when the boat suffered a broken forestay, a crucial part of the rigging, which helps keep the mast in position.
Quick reactions by the crew, who rapidly eased sheets and secured halyards to the bow, prevented the loss of the mast and the team will continue to race to Qingdao.
Having carried out a rig check, Green Dragon is now sailing with her small J4 headsail and full mainsail and has 176 nautical miles to the mark positioned off Luzon, which the fleet must keep to the east of. It is unlikely the team will be able to fly any other headsails with just a makeshift headstay, but although they will be handicapped for the final 1500 miles to the finish, they still plan to race as hard as they can.