At 08 hours 00 minutes and 57 seconds GMT this morning American Bruce Schwab sailing the 60ft monohull Ocean Planet crossed the finish line of the Vendée Globe in Les Sables d’Olonne. And in doing so has become the first ever America sailor to complete the race.

His 23,680 mile journey took 109 days, 19 hours, 58 minutes and 57 seconds at an average theoretical speed across the course of 8.98 knots.

Having completed the race however, he is currently having to wait off Les Sables d’Olonne for the tide to allow him to enter the canal which takes him up to the docks. The estimated time of arrival on the pontoon is 1400 today.