Volvo Ocean Race: All-female Swedish boat wins In-Port race

Team SCA, an all-female Swedish boat, that took the honours in the In-Port race. Photo / File.

The Volvo Ocean yachts took to Auckland Harbour this afternoon for the New Zealand Herald In-Port Race, and it was Team SCA, the all-female Swedish boat, that took the honours.

Dutch syndicate Team Brunel claimed second spot, while Spanish outfit Mapfre rounded out the podium in third.

It was the fifth in-port race of the Volvo Ocean series, and SCA's second win after their victory in Abu Dhabi.

While constituting a competition in its own right, standings in the in-port series also factor into the overall round-the-world race by acting as a tie-breaker for teams tied on points.

SCA lead from the outset this afternoon after taking the start from Mapfre, and got to the first turn almost a minute ahead of the rest of the fleet. Team Brunel trimmed the lead to 20 seconds as the boats rounded the third mark, but SCA had enough juice to maintain their advantage and close out the race.

The event took place amid hundreds of spectator vessels littering the fringes of the narrow course between the Auckland waterfront and Devonport.

SCA's win takes it to third position in the in-port series, behind Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing and Team Brunel.

The teams are set to leave Auckland on Tuesday to begin the gruelling Southern Ocean leg of the overall race to Itajai in Brazil. Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing lead the overall series.