“Today is Mich Desj day. He finished earlier today, to indicate what a big deal this is and how big sailing is in France, I have been told that his finish was live on 3 terrestrial TV channels – for 2 hours. What an incredible impression Mich has made on this Vendée. After having won 8 years ago, the only way to top that was to give everyone a head start and still win, and that’s exactly what happened! He was relentless in catching up and then consolidating his lead. He is a great champion, and in the world of sailing his talents in single handed racing are just as exceptional as those of Russell Coutts in the America’s Cup and Ben Ainslie in the Olympic arena. It’s been amazing to watch and also exciting and challenging to see how much more achievable work there is to be done to get to his level in both personal performance and boat performance. The only person who was able to keep up the pace for a long period was Bilou, and in an older, though very fast and well tested boat, his performance was exceptional as well. I really hope that after his keel failure the weather allows him to finish this Vendée, though it won’t be easy for him in his 60 foot dinghy with a lot of Northerly winds coming over his route. Certainly Armel should sail calmly into 2nd place before the finish, but no one can doubt Bilou’s achievements and abilities, whatever the outcome.”
Brian Thompson (Bahrain Team Pindar) commenting on Mich’s win
 

“Every time I have been asked who my sailing hero is, I answered Mich (as everybody calls him) Desjoyeaux. I now think that many more people will understand why. He was always my favourite to win the race so I felt sad for him three months ago when straight away after the start he had to turn back for repairs. But I always knew that it wouldn’t be enough to stop ‘Mich the machine’! Roxy and I have a special connection with him because my old lady is no other than the boat he won the race in for the first time eight years ago. Mich and I have been communicating by email through the race and it has been very important for me. In hard times, a little message from his Foncia would come to Roxy and encourage me and give me motivation. He has inspired me and I always try my best in his wake. Mich has just showed again what the sailing world already knew, he is one of the world’s best sailors of all time.”
Sam Davies (Roxy) commenting on Michel Desjoyeaux’s win
 

Michel Desjoyeaux is due to finish at 15h15 GMT, after just over 84 days and three hours of racing

At 14h15 GMT, Foncia was sailing at just over ten knots, 8 miles from the Barges Lighthouse, which means Michel Desjoyeaux is likely to cross the finishing line in around an hour and a quarter.

At 13h30 GMT, Michel Desjoyeaux was spotted south of the island of Yeu: the skipper of Foncia is therefore still due to reach Les Sables d’Olonne between 16h30-17h00. Sailing upwind on the port tack under staysail with one reef in the mainsail, he is averaging around ten knots in a 25-knot wind.

The harbour walls around the entrance to the port of Les Sables d’Olonne as well as the quayside in la Chaume are beginning to fill up this afternoon. Several thousand people are waiting, in spite of the bitter cold easterly wind in Vendée. Just off the shore outside of the harbour entrance, several boats are making their way out to greet Michel Desjoyeaux.