The fourth leg of the race came to an end when all the competing boats finally reached Auckland New Zealand. First across the line was MAPFRE with Team SCA bringing up the rear.
On January 8, the six remaining boats in the Volvo Ocean Race set sail from Sanya in China bound for the southern hemisphere. The boats sailed north of the Philippines and then headed south towards the Pacific. After a further 5,264 nautical miles at sea they have now all crossed the finishing line in Auckland, New Zealand.
The boats remained close to each other during the closing stages. First across the line was MAPFRE. Not far behind were Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing and Dongfeng Race Team. Last to cross the line was Team SCA.
Halfway into the race, Anna-Lena Elled has joined Team SCA. Anna-Lena is the reporter on the boat and she films, photographs and writes about everything that happens on board. Martin Strömberg is also back with the Chinese entry Dongfeng Race Team after skipping the leg between Abu Dhabi and Sanya.
"Following the round-the-world race by these boats is great fun and quite remarkable. It's particularly exciting that two Swedes are now involved," said Magnus Kårestedt, Port of Gothenburg Chief Executive.
Swedish exports to Australia and New Zealand have increased substantially in recent years. Only the USA, China and Japan are bigger export markets outside Europe. Exports from Sweden to New Zealand comprise mainly industrial machinery, cars and other vehicles.
The Volvo Ocean Race consists of nine legs and will end at the Port of Gothenburg in June 2015. The Port of Gothenburg is the official homecoming partner.
"We are very much looking forward to welcoming all the competitors as they cross the finishing line at the largest port in Scandinavia. We will do everything we can to make it a memorable end to the race for those taking part and for the people of Gothenburg," said Magnus Kårestedt.
The race is scheduled to finish on June 21, 2015. This is the first time since 2006 that the race has ended in Volvo's home city.