Vendée Globe: Jean Le Cam ends black series

Almost ten days after winner François Gabart, French sailing legend Jean Le Cam reached the Vendée finish line off Les Sables d'Olonne on Wednesday afternoon. Four years after his dramatic capsize off Cape Horn and two years after breaking his mast in the Barcelona World Race, the 53-year-old from La Forêt-Fouesnant has successfully completed his circumnavigation - the happy end to a black streak. As in 2005, he brings his "SynerCiel" to the finish line just ahead of his long-term rival Mike Golding. Eight years ago, the two skippers were separated by just a few seconds, today it is a few hours. Golding is expected in Les Sables d'Olonne later in the evening. However, Le Cam was unable to repeat his best Vendée result - second place in the fifth edition - with his last-minute campaign.

Jean Le Cam circumnavigated the planet in 88 days, twelve minutes and 58 seconds. His average speed over the 27,575 nautical miles sailed was 13.1 knots. The Breton had shared his race with his fans with a high entertainment factor, regularly sending impressive pictures of life on board. This was also the case when a rope became wrapped around his keel in the latitudes of the "Roaring Forties" and the man with the striking mane of hair had no choice but to dive.

The fact that he was still in sixth place behind Mike Golding a few days ago and was only able to overtake the British rider in the final sprint with better positioning makes the result particularly sweet for him. His friend, Vincent Riou, who was one of the favourites in this edition but retired early, said on Jean Le Cam's arrival: "It was a great Vendée Globe at a high level and with a surprising fleet. There were small races in the big race, such as the duel between Jean Le Cam and Mike Golding. I didn't attend all the finishes, but I'm here today because my friend Jean Le Cam finished. I followed his race and we were in contact a few times. I'm happy to welcome him here again."

Thousands of fans lined the legendary canal of Les Sables d'Olonne to celebrate the homecoming of another of their heroes. Like all the skippers who have arrived so far, Jean Le Cam greeted the crowd with red hand flares in the style of a winner. The message: whoever survives the toughest sailing regatta is already a winner. No matter which place he was able to conquer.