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Sweden's Ericsson 4 won the 2009-10 edition of the Volvo Ocean Race, which lasts nine months and takes the competitors around the world.

The VO70 yacht skippered by Brazilian Torben Grael came in third in the ninth and next-to-last stage between the Swedish port of Marstrand and Sandham near Stockholm, and cannot now be caught in the overall standings.

The leg was won by US entry Puma Ocean Racing, which recorded its first stage victory in the event

Puma crossed the line at 10:40pm local time, just metres ahead of the other Swedish entry, Ericsson 3, after a thrilling finish. Ericsson 4 arrived about 15 minutes later.

It was the second time a Swedish yacht has won the event formerly known as the Whitbread race, after EF Language in the 1997-98 edition.

Ericsson 4, the favourite when the event began in the Spanish Mediterranean port of Alicante in October, won five of the nine stages disputed so far.

There still remains an in-port race in Stockholm on Sunday and the 10th and last stage between the Swedish capital and St Petersburg in Russia, expected on June 27.

Grael, 48, a double Olympic champion and America's Cup specialist, has won his first ever ocean race. He finished third in the last Volvo race in 2005-06 in charge of the yacht Brazil 1.

AFP