The Puma (right), and Telefonica Black boats compete in the 2008-2009 Volvo Ocean Race. --PHOTO: AP
ST PETERSBURG (Russia) - SPAIN'S Telefonica Black on Saturday won the 10th and final leg of the Volvo Ocean Race, from Stockholm to St Petersburg in Russia.
Sweden's Ericsson 4 had already sealed overall victory in the 2008-2009 edition of the race on June 15, at the end of the ninth stage from Marstrand in Sweden to Stockholm.
Ericsson 4, skippered by Brazil's two-time Olympic champion Torben Grael, covered the 37,000-mile course around the world in the 127 days, seven days, seven hours, 46 minutes and 21 seconds.
US entry Puma Ocean Racing on Saturday confirmed its second place overall in the grueling nine-month event.
It was the first stage victory by Telefonica Black, who covered the 400-mile course in one day, 12 hours and 41 minutes, reaching the finish line just before 5am local time (9am Singapore time).
The Volvo race began in the Spanish Mediterranean port of Alicante in October. The next edition, which also starts in Alicante, is set for 2011-12. -- AFP