Safran is making 8.6kts upwind towards the line, Guillemot is in the spotlight just now as the TV cameras film. He will love these last few extraordinary minutes, having sailed nearly 1000 miles since north of the Azores with no keel, having been instrumental in the care of Yann Elies when he was injured standing by, and of course stopped twice to try and fix his mainsail mast track with limited success. Boat looks stable, responding to the little puffs, some ten minutes to the finish.

And alongside now, Safran is under staysail and double reefed main, making about seven knots towards the finish, so should cross in 20 mins to half an hour. Guillemot is in the cockpit acknowledging the presence of a growing fleet of boats, each swooping in to get close up photos and film.

The fleet of media boats and spectator boats are on their way out now to meet Safran. We have Safran in sight almost immediately, making steady progress 3 miles from  the finish line. She is upright but moving well and is going to be about two hours inside time to make third place, becoming the second Open 60 in successive races to finish third with no keel!

Rich Wilson (Great American III) crossed the Equator at 00h10 GMT this morning

Marc Guillemot changed tack at around midnight to head for the finishing line some 18 miles ahead of Safran. He is expected to finish off Les Sables d’Olonne between 01h00 and 01h30 (GMT) .

The fight for third place will be decided in a matter of hours. Aerial pictures of Safran were taken, as she sailed around fifty miles from the finish and can be viewed in the latest photo collection by clicking here.

Contacted this afternoon, the skipper said he was pleased to be finishing and pleased to be able to share this incredible experience.  Now less than 30 miles from the finish, the public, friends and family and …Sam Davies are waiting for Marc Guillemot to arrive.