Spain's Telefonica Blue wins third stage of Volvo Race

SINGAPORE: Spanish yacht Telefonica Blue late on Monday won the third stage of the Volvo Ocean Race around the world from Cochin, India to Singapore, snatching the lead from Sweden's Ericsson 4 as the boats headed for the finish.

The US entry Puma Ocean Racing grabbed second place, just ahead of the all-Nordic crew of Ericsson 3. Race favorite Ericsson 4 came fourth.

It was the most dramatic finish in Volvo Ocean Race history, if not the absolute closest. But four boats finishing within 20 minutes, the last three separated by just two and a half minutes, after sailing for over nine days and 1,950 miles, isn't something that happens all the time in an offshore race.