A female skipper who has sailed into the history books by becoming the first woman to win a race across the world’s oceans said she never set out to achieve the title.

More than 11 months after leaving Liverpool’s Albert Dock, a fleet of 11 Clipper Round the World Yacht Race vessels returned to the city on Saturday after completing their full circumnavigation.

It was Australian skipper Wendy Tuck, left, who clinched overall victory on board Sanya Serenity Coast, followed closely by female British skipper Nikki Henderson on Visit Seattle.

Ms Tuck, who is originally from Sydney, spoke to the Press Association shortly after she had been thrown in Albert Dock as her crew celebrated their victory.

The 53-year-old, who began sailing at the age of 24, said she never started the competition hoping to achieve the record of being the first woman to win an around-the-world yacht race.

“When we set out as a team we wanted to finish on the podium or the top four, and then to win and to find out the other result as well - I didn’t even think about that, it wasn’t on the radar at the start at all,” she said.

With women clinching first and second place in the overall standings, Ms Tuck said the result has “got to be nothing but positive”.

Asked how she was feeling about picking up the title and win, she said: “I am really happy, it still hasn’t sunk in just yet, it is pretty amazing.”