AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Jan 4 - Skipper Neil MacDonald nursed a battered and bruised Assa Abloy into Auckland early Friday to win the third leg of the Volvo Ocean race.

In wet and windy conditions, the blue and gold hull of the Swedish yacht cut a clean path across the Hauraki Gulf as it headed for the line on Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour.

Amer Sports One finished second, just under two hours behind the winner, with Tyco claiming third spot after a three-way battle with illbruck, the overall race leaders, and News Corp.

Tyco crossed the line only three minutes ahead of illbruck, who edged out News Corp just metres from the end of the leg.

Despite his clear lead, MacDonald confessed to a worrying time on the 200-mile home straight from the northern tip of New Zealand to the finish line.

A combination of light and fickle winds and the knowledge that Amer Sports One was skippered by local New Zealand hero Grant Dalton caused the Briton to keep looking over his shoulder.

Eight boats are contesting the race, with current overall leader German’s illbruck, skippered by American John Kostecki, having won the first two legs.—Reuters