Rich in the cockpit as he crosses at 12h43 19s GMT He remained completely passive as Sylvie Viant announced he had crossed the line
A la uneNewswire
Rich crosses the line
2009.03.10Rich's family alongside
2009.03.10A mile and a half to the line.Surfing along nicely on 7-8 foot swell. Sisters and family are alongside. Rich looking very pleased to see them. Norbert Sedlacek's team are also out on the water to greet him. His boat is not showing any obvious signs of damage
Rich Wilson two and a half miles to the finish
2009.03.10One big spectator boat out. Probably because of the weather and time, few spectators for the finish. Friends and family approaching in a big RIB with stars and stripes lining up to be in the photo shots.
Rich Wilson approaching the finish
2009.03.10Rich is smiling from his cockpit and able to see the first boat come alongside. Currently under staysail with double reefed main. He is currently sailing at about ten knots towards the finish. 3.5 miles from the line. Approaching directly from the west he can see the whole of Les Sables ahead of him. The first 3 or 4 boats are approaching him and the first stars and stripes are being raised.
7 miles to go
2009.03.10Conditions are pretty grim out on the water. The media boats are just heading out to meet Rich Wilson. The conditions are in fact similar to those experienced at the start, although the temperature is a few degrees higher.
Rich approaching Les Sables
2009.03.10The weather is dull and overcast with light rain. The wind is 18-20 knots and the seas are short and rather unpleasant this morning off Les Sables. Rich is currently 8 or 9 miles from the finish