Photos: Tech ahoy in round the world yacht race

The Volvo Ocean Race is an annual round the world yacht endurance competition, described as the 'Everest of sailing'.

This year, eight teams are competing in the event, including two Ericsson teams and two from telco Telefonica. The race started in Alicante, Spain, in October last year and will end in St Petersburg, Russia, in late June.

During the event each team will clock up more than 37,000 nautical miles, sailing the world's most treacherous seas as they make their way via Cape Town, Kochi, Singapore, Qingdao, around Cape Horn to Rio de Janeiro, Boston, Galway, Goteborg and Stockholm. They also take part in in-port racing events where spectators are able to take a look at the action.

Pictured here is one of the two Ericsson teams - Ericsson 3 - finishing first into Rio de Janeiro on leg five of the race after 41 days at sea.

Photo credit: Dave Kneale/Volvo Ocean Race