And Steve White will finish at a canter, after the long battle against light winds and headwinds Toe in the Water is under full mainsail and gennaker moving along very nicely toeards the finish less than three miles away, doing eight knots. The media boats are alongside now on this beautiful afternoon, with just a light NE'ly breeze. White is delighted to have company, to see friends and family at last. He looks well, the boat looks well and he is ready to finish in the next 30 minutes.

Earlier this morning Steve White was slowed to under three knots and his ETA is now around 12h30 GMT. He still has 16 miles left to sail and is currently advancing at around 6 knots

"It is now just over a week after the finish of the Vendée Globe and I am home on the Isle of Wight with my wife Nathalie and children Genevieve and Tristan. Although I spent nearly a hundred days at sea, that time now feels very far away, as I quickly get reacclimatised to ‘normal’ life. I am relishing the freedom to walk, to run, to go outside the 60 foot radius I was limited to. I am loving being with the family, and to see people and talk to them face to face rather than over a scratchy phone line. I am absolutely amazed to go to a shop and see a cornucopia of goodies that I was not able to have for so long; fresh milk - just go and pick it up, vegetables - take what I wish, chocolate - which flavour would I like? I am relishing listening to the radio, picking up a newspaper, going to the cinema, walking on grass, seeing the first daffodils appear. It’s all new and fresh to me.

" Do I miss those last few weeks and days of the race, being stressed and covered in hydraulic oil, coaxing Bahrain Team Pindar to the finish line to keep 5th place? Not really.

" Do I miss the Southern Ocean, the warm tradewinds, the purity of the sea? Yes, I have been immensely privileged to see it once again, to live in that world for so long, to really understand we do live on a blue planet, wrapped by the sea. I am sure I will be back, hopefully in another Vendée, perhaps on another speed record attempt, and then one day cruising and showing the kids this wonderful world that we are entrusted with. I will never forget the finish of course, it was the most amazing experience, the most perfect morning to bring the circle to a close."

" There was a flotilla of boats at the finish that sped out at dawn from Les Sables to meet me like those helicopters in Apocalypse Now. As I crossed the finish line I sat on the bowsprit and enjoyed the feeling of elation and relief. Not till the last mile was I really sure I was going to make it, as just that night my keel pin had broken in two and I was sailing with just a free swinging keel, so was always concerned about Dee catching up during that final night. But the last mile I truly enjoyed, with all family, friends and supporters in the boats alongside enjoying the moment too. "

" Coming up the channel in Les Sables it was just astonishing to see so many people lining the walls to welcome me back, total strangers who just embraced the adventure of the race and wanted to be part of it. I had not really slept in two days but the energy of the crowds kept me going all that day, and those memories will certainly never fade. Thanks to everyone who wrote to me during the race and those who logged on to our site and had their own Vendée experience."

Brian Thompson (Bahrain Team Pindar)

Les Sables d'Olonne is glassy calm this morning, with just a few ripples out on the water. At 0800hrs GMT this morning Steve White still had over 20 miles to sail against what wind there is. He was making just over seven knots but it is does not seem like he will break the line before 1100hrs (midday local) and then will have a wait of three hours to get in the canal. But it is another lovely sunny day, with mild Spring-like temperatures and so the wait continues.....

Steve White's progress towards the finish was slowed down this morning. The skipper of Toe in the Water is having to tack in fading winds blowing at just 5 knots. At 07h30 GMT, he was still 23 miles from the finish. This means he is likely to reach the finish line at around noon today

At 0330hrs GMT this morning Steve White still had 37 miles to go to the finish line to complete his eighth place in the Vendee Globe. Winds are very light this morning and Steve has slowed to just 3 knots since and so he is not expected on the finish line before 0830hrs GMT (0930hrs local time) to 0930 hrs GMT (1030hrs local time).