Volvo OR - Video from above and below decks

AkzoNobel chasing Dongfeng as they vy for the lead on Leg 4 heading for the Solomons on Leg 4, 2017/18 Volvo Ocean Race © Sam Greenfield / Volvo Ocean Rac

The use of drone cameras for both still and video photography on the Volvo Ocean racers has added a new dimension to the coverage while the boats are far from land.

It's not easy requiring some very good drone technology that will keep pace with the flying VOR65's along with some excellent skills from the OBR's to launch, fly and retrieve a drone while their launch platform is sailing at race pace.

Here's a selection of what has been published over the last couple of days, plus some onboard comments on how the leg is unfolding.

Scallywag are at the back of the Leg 4 fleet but closing in – and navigator Libby Greenhalgh explains how the next 72 hours should go

Wait for the awesome drone shots at the end

Martine Grael and others from onboard AkzoNobel on what it is like to be chasing Dongfeng for the past couple of days as they close in on Santa Ana Island, a turning point on the corner of the Solomon Islands.

Leg 4 has already delivered some stunning drone stills, check out these video highlights of the boats flying towards the Solomons.

And some epic video from Brunel as they hurtle over the across waves on Day 3 of Leg 4