And thousands of people are out ot greet Steve White, incredible. Both sides of the canal are teeming with people and White looks almost reluctant, not quite knowing where to look but he is going to love it just the same, he has the flares lit on the foredeck and is accepting the applause and cheers with a huge smile and waving as much as he can. A perfect end to his race. He had two packets of custard creams this morning.

And a big banner saying 'Thanks Steve, you have made us dream' on the left bank as he comes in. And Cali, Arnaud Boissieres is in a RIB alongside adding his best wishes.

And Steve White finishes his Vendee Globe in eighth place at 13:38:55  local time, not quite knowing what to do, no jumping about, just a quiet smile and a wave to everyone. Incredible. He just looks very relaxed.

Less  than half a mile to go to South Nouch and the finish line, the final minutes of Steve's Vendee Globe and Toe in the Water heels to a big gust and is charging to the finish.

Hand in his pocket White looks almost emabrassed at the welcome, but he looks very relaxed, his hair is long but he seems to have shaved for the occasion, not sure what with but not cooking oil one would hope since his wife Kim warned him that she would not come near him if he finished smelling like a chip. There are few boats which have arrived back from the Vendee Globe in better shape than they left, but his boat looks just shipshape and tidy, he his trimming the gennaker for a few extra knots. He held his elbow a little when waving, but has bent to the task of grinding to furl the gennaker as the wind heads. His kids have just arrived alongside with Kim in a yellow RIB.  They have big plastic feet to wave, for the Toe in the Water charity. He has slowed now but the beaches of Les Sables d'Olonne are shimmering just three miles or so away, and Steve has rolled out his staysail now to sail the last mile or so to the line.

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