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Armel's press conference live at noon

2009.02.07

Due to the arrival of Armel Le Cléac'h today’s radio session is cancelled. Instead there will be the live broadcast of Armel Le Cléac'h’s press conference at around 12h00 GMT

Armel crosses the line

2009.02.07

200 metres and he holds his breath....ready to celebrate....he is on the helm steering Brit Air... punching the air for last 100 metres, sighting the line... and crosses two fists punched in the air....His shore team go aboard...  Great finish huge relief all round

10 minutes to go...

2009.02.07

Race Director, Denis Horeau expressed his satisfaction at the presence of crowds, as he believes Armel fully deserves this magnificent welcome. Armel says a lot of boats around so thinks it will take ten minutes to sail final two miles.  The fleet has been asked to slow and let him clear the line.  Nouch Buoy in sight...

Less than 3 miles to go

2009.02.07

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.......

A triumphant wave

2009.02.07

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......

Final minutes for Armel

2009.02.07

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.

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