A tactical gamble by Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing skipper Ian Walker paid off with a home victory in an in-port leg of the Volvo Ocean Race yesterday.

Abu Dhabi and Groupama of France had split from the rest of the fleet in light but consistent winds and after some jostling it was the home crew that held the edge at the halfway stage of the eight-mile course.

Walker and his crew stretched that advantage and crossed the finish line in the lead, cheered on by thousands thronging the shore before tossing local sailor Adil Khalid into the Indian Ocean in celebration.

Khalid is the first Emirati to compete in the 38-year-old event.

"We so wanted to win the race so we were prepared to take risks. We knew if we could win it would be very special for everyone," said Walker, a double Olympic silver medalist.

Groupama was second, ahead of Camper in third.

Walker has been under pressure after his multi-million dollar challenge faltered within six hours of the start of Leg 1 in Alicante, Spain in November when the mast snapped in three after a rigging failure.

Then a disappointing fifth place in the second leg from Cape Town to Abu Dhabi left Walker and his 10-man crew fifth overall.

"We're involved in a nine-month odyssey round the world but today is the most important day for Abu Dhabi," he said. "We have never seen this many boats out on the water to watch racing, and there are lots of people out who are new to sailing.

"Right now all they are seeing is their country flag being waved. It's a real thrill for that to happen. People will ask whether this win will restore our confidence but we never lost confidence."

Abu Dhabi earned six points for the victory but remains in fifth place overall with 25 points, six behind Puma of the United States. Team Telefonica of Spain leads the overall standings with 68 points.

The fleet next embarks on the 4,000-plus nautical mile third leg to Sanya, China, which starts today.

The round-the-world race finishes in July in Galway, Ireland.