Intro:

The French boat Groupama claimed a debut win in the Volvo Ocean Race in Auckland, New Zealand, despite suffering a late hole in the hull.

The drama came as they passed the New Zealand coast after their 5,220-nautical mile journey from Sanya, China in offshore sailing's premier race.

Script:

Franck Cammas skippered Groupama to victory as they made history by becoming the first French team to take line honours in an Ocean race into Auckland.

Groupama claimed a dramatic leg four victory despite surviving a scare with less than 100 nautical miles to go - when a massive hole opened up in the hull filling the bow with water.

They managed to limp home into Auckland, breaking a winning streak for the Spanish boat Telefonica which had prevailed in the previous three legs.

Quick work from the crew averted a potential disaster, ensuring bowman Brad Marsh would be the first New Zealander into Auckland, with PUMA still more than 100 miles behind them and locked in a tense battle with Telefonica, and CAMPER for the remaining podium places.

The French team rallied in eight metre seas and 30-knot headwinds to isolate the leak and drain 1.5 tonnes of water before crossing the finish line more than 80 nautical miles ahead of their nearest competitor.

Winning the unofficial race to be the first Kiwi home was elated Groupama bowman Brad Marsh, who flew a New Zealand flag as the team were welcomed to Auckland's Viaduct Harbour by hundreds of family, friends and fans.

The race for the remaining podium positions continues, with PUMA Ocean Racing powered by BERG holding a narrow lead over Telefonica and CAMPER.

Groupama's victory marks the Volvo Ocean Race's eighth visit to Auckland and the first since the 2001-02 edition stopover in the city.

The next leg to Itajai in Brazil begins on March 18th.

The 39,000-nautical mile race, which covers 10 ports, four oceans and five continents, is scheduled to finish in Galway, Ireland on July 8th.