Emily Nagel and Team AkzoNobel continued their steady climb in the Volvo Ocean Race In Port Series standings after achieving a podium display in Itajai, Brazil.

The Dutch syndicate finished second after a fierce battle with winners and overall In Port series leaders Mapfre.

Dongfeng Race Team finished third to round out the podium at last Friday’s race contested in a moderate sea breeze.

Bermuda sailor Nagel and her team-mates led briefly but were unable to hold off a charging Mapfe team who pounced on their rival’s misfortune rounding the leeward mark.

“It was a really good day for us out on the water,” Nagel told The Royal Gazette.

“Weather conditions were favourable with around 12 knots and lots of sun!

“As a team we were happy with our performance. We had a strong start and were leading around the first mark but unfortunately we mistimed a gybe and Mapfre were able to sneak past at the bottom mark. Full credit must be given to them for having such a flawless race. It was exciting to have such tight racing once again being sandwiched in between the two red boats.”

Team AkzoNobel moved from fourth to third in the standings, behind leaders Mapfre, China’s Dongfeng.

Two days after securing another podium in the In Port series Nagel and her team-mates set sail on leg eight of the Volvo Ocean Race from Brazil to Newport, Rhode Island.

“This leg will be fairly long, probably around 20 days with a range of wind conditions and a couple of challenges along the way,” Nagel said.

“With another equator crossing we will have to go through the doldrums again and up along the coast of Brazil. We could have to deal with severe thunderstorms.

“As an active stretch of coastline up Brazil and into Newport we will also have to keep an eye out for fishing debris. And of course when passing Bermuda try and avoid getting lost in the triangle ... or more realistically getting too much sargasso seaweed stuck on the keel.”

The Dutch entry are fourth in the standings and with four legs and 2½ months of racing to go before the Volvo Ocean Race finishes at The Hague in the Netherlands in June have their sights on securing a spot on the overall podium.

Dongfeng are the leaders.