And Sam douses the media with champagne after docking, stopping for ten minutes to answer questions from the radio and TV and journalists before heading to the podium. On the water in RIB were both Yann Elies and Roland Jourdain out to greet Sam, Mike Golding is also here. Best moment for Sam was Cape Horn, worst moments were when she was worrying about Yann Elies when he was injured on board Generali.

And Sam is fully kitted out for the weather, it is still very cold this morning and she will dock in a few minutes before stepping back on to dry land for the first time in more than 96 days. There are also big crowds in the Arrival Village, and at 0700hrs this morning there was already a big queue at the gates, people waiting in the freezing cold, desperate to get the best spot in front of the big screen and hoping to catch a few words with Sam maybe.

Roxy will dock behind Brit Air which arrived here exactly a week ago ithis morning n second place.

The official number of people out to greet Sam is '......a lot' ...they are four or five deep along the whole channel and the narrow waterway is chock a block with boats, and every so often Roxy comes to a halt just due to the volume of traffic. It is like the Pied Piper with a long train of boats of all shapes and sizes following the polka dot Open 60 down the canal.

Sam Davies, her Roxy team, friends, family and supporters are arriving down the channel now in perfect sunshine. Thousands of people are lined up on both sides and the cheers can be heard for miles as Sam leaps around the bow of Roxy, standing up on the pulpit and waving to everyone with that 1000 watt smile, laughing to herself. No sign of any lack of energy after a long night waiting to come ashore. And another pair of flares are lit as she passes half way down the channel now.

“With the wind easing, I was finally able to hoist my mainsail away from the third reef that looked so awful. As the damage to the sail moves further up the rig it looks much better. I think it is something to do with it being further away. Again a rustling of materials and a confetti of sail cloth flew into the breeze behind me. I am almost relieved that there are not many more times where I will need to put a reef in or take one out again. With under 500 miles to go the end is starting to feel real although I am trying to concentrate on the sailing and not think too much about the end until I see the line with my own eyes. I am fully aware with light winds forecast I am still to be frustrated before we get to Les Sables d'Olonne.
At this stage I am in awe of Marco on Safran who is sailing his final 1000 miles with no keel. That is an awesome feat and to have the skill and ability to sail in that state and to live the final few days with the mainsheet in his hand is incredible. My fingers are crossed for him and the hero's welcome that will await his arrival.”

Dee Caffari (Aviva) in her daily message sent yesterday evening
 

It is a perfect morning for Sam Davies'  to transit the channel back to the marina which she left on November 9th 2008. The sun has just risen and is starting to elevate the temperatures slightly after a very chilly night. People have been moving around since 5 and 6 in the morning here to book their best vantage point to pay their tributes to Sam Davies and welcome her back. The flags around the Vendee Globe regatta village are scarcely lifting in a light breeze and already the huge sound system in the village is cranking out the music. She is due to enter the channel mouth around 0900hrs.