Brit Air is sailing directly into the morning sun, the line is on the horizon. Behind it the long sandy beach of Les Sables.  Less than 3 miles to go...

Armel is pacing the deck like the caged jackal, stopping every few seconds on a different spot to wave to the media and spectators, foredeck, cockpit, stern, deck again, and a wave to the helicopters overhead.  The sea is wintery green blue with wind whipping on the white horses.  Boat looks in good nick, other than the loss of the protective hood at back of coachroof.  He has the spectator boat only 15m off his beam and aboard they are going wild, jumping and waving as we close the line.  The first flares are lit off the spectator boat 2 mins to line.......

Armel is just moving gently along. Main is eased at the moment.  Le Cleac'h is back on deck now and has eased the bow down to pick up a little speed for the media.  Three boats out with him now.  He is sailing downwind now and is on the end of his outrigger putting sponsor flags out.  Stunning pictures in the morning sunshine, shimmering gold of his mainsail as he surfs along now about 9 knots.  he is on the foredeck now acknowledging the fleet out here, with a triumphant wave, the moments he will treasure as he can just about see the finish line, he looks relaxed and happy.

and now on the bow...arms aloft just drinking in this beautiful morning as his Brit Air just pops her bow to surf from time to time, his finish is like he raced, prudent and consistent...big spectator boat is just arriving now......

He can clearly make out the silhouette of Les Sables d’Olonne on his horizon and the tall light houses either side of the channel entrance glistening white in the morning sunshine, he will have had a long night but this last forty minutes all the tiredness and stress will wash away, being greeted in the next few minutes by Denis Horeau race director on the Beneteau Antares for race direction, one of a fleet of 14 provided by the giant Vendee based boatbuilders.

He is not moving very quickly at all just four or five knots as the first official boats reach him.

 Fantastic minutes now for Armel as he ses the first media boats arriving to greet him, two miles away, lovely sunny morning, breeze 16 knots from the NW, choppy big swell, the end really is in sight for hime now.  He has three reefs in and no headsail.  

The swell is bigger now out near the line, Le Cleac'h is making just five knots, slowing as much as he can to limit the time he has to sit around and wait for the tide to let him in the harbour entrance channel. But the sun is coming up now and he will be enjoying a watery winter sunrise as his last morning at sea.  Breeze is 18-20 knots now.  Eight miles from the finish at 7 35 gmt

Suffering some horrendous conditions over the past 4 days, Armel Le Cléac’h did not ease of during the night and is on the final stretch to les Sables d’Olonne. Initially expected at around 10h00 GMT he is now due to cross the line at around 08h00 in spite of damage to his mainsail car. The media and spectator boats are heading out now to meet Armel Le Cleach who is around one hour from the finish line. It is a grey dawn before the sun has risen yet but the skies are clearing with high puffy clouds, signalling it should be pleasant weather. So far it is business as usual on the canal side, just a few people out, Breeze is westerly at 15-18 knots just outside the harbour. Sea is a long, gentle swell with a little choppy surface.