Hampshire's Ian Walker fulfills dream after officially being crowned Volvo Ocean Race champion

After more than eight months on and off at sea and nearly 40,000 nautical miles, Walker arrived at the finish-line in Gothenburg, Sweden, today to become the first British skipper ever to be crowned winner of the round the world epic.

Stage nine of the competition was almost a lap of honour for the Abu Dhabi boat, after the Warsash sailor confirmed an unassailable lead in the leg from Lisbon in Portugal to Lorient, France.

They came home in fifth-place in this final stage.

ABOVE: Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing arrives in Gothenburg as the winners of the 2014-15 edition of the Volvo Ocean Race.

Although mathematically victorious, Walker, who is joined on the Emirati boat by Southampton navigator Simon Fisher, had to avoid any disasters en route to Scandinavia and eventually cruised to victory.

Walker, who looked very relaxed as he sailed into Gothenburg escorted by a number of boats joining in the party with the triumphant team, can also claim the inshore Volvo Ocean Race crown if he wins the in-port race in Sweden’s second city this Saturday.

In what is a huge success for British sailing, the double Olympic medallist said: “It’s a bit strange, it’s been a while coming because we sort of won in Lorient but kind of hadn’t.

“We’ve had this leg where we’ve been sort of racing but didn’t really care too much. Finally we’ve crossed the line.

“I guess it’s a fulfilment of a huge dream, but it hasn’t really sunk in yet.

“We said all along that we wanted to get the most experienced guys. I wanted guys that I could enjoy sailing with and we’ve done that.

“We’ve had a really strong shore team, really good camaraderie, I think that’s stood us in good stead.

“We knew we wouldn’t get an advantage from the boat, the sails or the mast, so it had to come from the people.

“I can't thank everyone enough for everything they’ve put into it."

Above: the winning crew.

After two set-backs on the Green Dragon boat in 2008/09's edition and the Abu Dhabi in 2011/12, in which both boats suffered major breakages, Walker can finally put those ill-fated campaigns behind him.

“That’s what made me come back," he said, looking back at his previous efforts.

“The last one was tough, I won’t lie to you.

“But all the people who worked with us then, are still part of this.

“It was all part of what built up to winning.

“We had to go through that pain to learn the lessons we needed to learn and put it all in place.

“This time around everything has gone right from the word go.

“I said at the start of the race that I was confident, but I also said there was a hundred ways you could lose this race.

“But there’s only one way you can win it.

“So no matter how hard you train and how good your team are, you need a lot of luck especially the guys we’re sailing against.

“It wouldn’t mean anything if you weren’t sailing against the best sailors in the world.

“It’s been along time coming.

“It feels good, really good.”

Above: Sweet victory as Ian Walker kisses the trophy.

Meanwhile, Team Brunel wrapped up second place overall after claiming runners-up spot behind Team Alvimedica, who won the stage from Lorient, France, via a pit-stop at The Hague, Netherlands, and then to Gothenburg.

Hamble's Rob Greenhalgh, on the MAPFRE boat, came in third to finish joint fourt overall with Alvimedica, while Dongfeng vacated the final podium place thanks to a fourth place in the last leg.

Last place Team Vestas Wind and Hamble skipper Sam Davies, alongside Libby Greenhalgh (Rob's sister), on the Team SCA (sixth overall) boat finished sixth and seventh respectively.