Yachting: Desjoyeaux wins Vendee Globe

Frenchman Michel Desjoyeaux was given a hero's welcome as he crossed the finish line at 8.08 am (NZT) yesterday to win the Vendee Globe single-handed round-the-world yacht race.

Desjoyeaux completed the 25,000-nautical-mile voyage in 93 days 3 hours 57 minutes 32 seconds, breaking the record of countryman Christophe Auguin, who reached Les Sables d'Olonne in February 1997 after 105 days at sea.

A flotilla of boats escorted the 35-year-old Desjoyeaux, from Brittany, into the port on the west coast of France as a fireworks display lit up the sky.

Desjoyeaux lined up with 23 other skippers at this same port for the start on November 9. Only 16 remain in the race.

Britain's Ellen MacArthur expected to arrive in second place early today.

Herald Online Marine News