Vendée Globe

February 07. 2009 at 11:55Aviva on a mission

“It was frustrating to have lost 300 miles in the Doldrums so it feels great to close the gap. I don’t really know how I have done it because I have just sailed the breeze and not really pushed the boat, but Aviva is definitely on a mission. I can’t slow her down! We have 2,000 miles to go so there is a chance of closing further. There are a couple of stopping areas where there are light airs and they might not let Brian through and I might be able to catch up more or we might both get stuck in it for a while so there is potential. It is very unusual to change places with this far to go but never say never. It is exciting to have these small battles going on with Roxy and Safran and me and Brian so there isn’t just a procession to the finish. But congratulations to Armel. He has sailed an awesome race. I am currently negotiating my way past the high pressure but I have had a good breeze all night which has allowed me to sail quickly in the right direction. I reckon I have another decent breeze before it gets light and I have to do my little wiggle through the light patch. As long as my routing is right and the weather does what the grib files say, I will be OK. The mainsail is still disintegrating and it will be tested further over the next few days. Whenever I put in a reef or take one out, I have to make sure the conditions are exactly right. I get a shower of confetti whenever I put in a reef or take one out but the main danger is the exposed fibres – if they get caught on anything, that will be it. Sail over.”

Dee Caffari (Aviva) in her daily message

February 07. 2009 at 10:21Armel's first words at the finish

" It’s magical! Absolutely incredible seeing all these people here to meet me in the sunshine in Les Sables d'Olonne. I’m very pleased and I could feel the tears welling up, when I saw all those motor boats. I’m coming to terms with the fact that I’ve finished and can now rest, but finishing second is something I find hard to get my head around. I think there are several factors, which meant I was second. It was due to sailing the race my way. You need a bit of luck to be able to finish, as it’s a hard race. Not very many of us are completing the race. Coming in just behind Michel Desjoyeaux is wonderful! I could not have dreamed of anything better. The last few days were very difficult with very rough conditions in the Bay of Biscay. Huge waves were breaking over the deck. The protective cover was ripped off, the mainsail car broke off the mast and our mainsail was damaged, but we managed to finish.”

February 07. 2009 at 09:49Armel's press conference live at noon

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

February 07. 2009 at 09:41Armel crosses the line

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

February 07. 2009 at 09:3510 minutes to go...

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...

February 07. 2009 at 09:23Less than 3 miles to go

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.......

February 07. 2009 at 09:12A triumphant wave

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......

February 07. 2009 at 08:57Final minutes for Armel

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.

February 07. 2009 at 08:48Armel in sight

 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.  

February 07. 2009 at 08:39Armel slowing as he approaches

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