AUCKLAND GIVES BIG WELCOME TO CAMPER'S ROUND-THE-WORLD YACHT
After more than 20 days, CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand crossed the Leg 4 finish line in Auckland on March 11, 2012, at 1244h local time to a rapturous welcome, with thousands turning up to greet them at the dockside.
In a tense finish for the final podium place, CAMPER was narrowly edged out for third place by overall race leader Telefonica. The time between the two boats was just 93 seconds.
Auckland, the "City of Sails," underlined its reputation as the world's sailing capital, with thousands of fans taking to the sea on spectator boats to welcome CAMPER and thousands more brandishing binoculars and lining the viewing area at North Head and the Race Village itself.
Skipper Chris Nicholson, summed up the arrival into Auckland in one simple word "humbling."
The teams now have a few days to get the boats prepared for next leg through the Southern Ocean from Auckland to Itajai in southern Brazil.
The 5220-mile Leg from Sanya (China) to Auckland (New Zealand) started on Feb. 18, 2012.
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CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand surrounded by spectators chases down Telefonica in the final approach to the finish line in the Waitamata Harbour Auckland. Leg four, Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012.
Photo by Chris Cameron/Getty Images
Photo by Chris Cameron/Getty Images