Ian Walker lost out in a ‘drag race’ for leg 4 honours in the Volvo Ocean Race but still had every reason to be buoyant after returning to the top of the leaderboard.

The Warsash skipper and his Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing crew were edged out by MAPFRE – with Hamble-based Rob Greenhalgh on board, finishing the 5,264 nautical-mile voyage from Sanya, China to Auckland just four minutes behind the Spanish-led team.

Walker’s consolation prize was a return to the summit of the overall standings, ahead of Chinese team Dongfeng, who they beat by less than four minutes.

Both have eight points but Walker’s men have the advantage thanks to their superior record in the in-port race series where they lead after four races.

Walker outlined a clear, pre-race strategy before the start of the race in October: “Finish on the podium in every leg and the chances are you will end up on top come the end of the race in Gothenburg, Sweden, on June 27.”

So far, he has carried out that plan to perfection with, successively, first, third, second and second places in the 40,000-mile race, but he conceded: “The difference between the teams is getting less and less, but our strategy is consistency. However, it if it becomes a two-horse race, it could be the wrong strategy.”

Team Brunel, under the guidance of veteran Lymington navigator Andrew Cape, finished the leg in fifth.

Hamble’s Sam Davies, skipper of Team SCA, whose 11-girl team includes Poole’s Annie Lush, Gosport’s Dee Caffari and Southampton’s Libby Greenhalgh, finished sixth.

“Results haven’t changed, but we’re improving. We’re almost in contact with the rest of the fleet. We’re learning as we sail next to them,” said Davies.

She, her crew and the rest of the fleet will now enjoy some well-earned rest before the action resumes on March 14 for The New Zealand Herald In-Port Race.

The departure for Itajaí, Brazil, a leg of some 6,776nm, begins 24 hours later on March 15. It is the longest leg of the race and, the skippers agreed, the one that could well point to the eventual destination of the trophy in the race’s 12th edition.