After 4,265 miles of solo racing from St Nazaire, France to the finish port of Cienfuegos, Cuba, Sam Davies British skipper of Skandia crossed the finish line in sixth place after a close-fought battle with French skipper Marc Emig, Total.

Skandia crossed the line at approximately 0530 BST in a time of 25 days, 15 hours, 22 minutes and 20 seconds completing the transatlantic race at an average speed of 6.93 knots. It was a close finish for the front runners with Skandia finishing 8h, 11m, 31s after the overall winner Eric Drouglazet.

Sam Davies said: “I am so glad to have finished. The last miles were a real struggle. I was neck and neck with Marc, but he just beat me by roughly one mile. The channel up to the finish was incredible, it was just like sailing into the land – you really had to trust your charts. Although it’s late in the evening here there were a few boats out – one with loads of Skandia flags! A great reception!”

The Trophée BPE has been the longest solo race of Sam’s career. Although she is disappointed not to have retained a top five position, Sam’s performance on the ocean crossing stage of the race before the Cuban coast proved she can hold her own against the very best solo Figarists – retaining third position against Eric Drouglazet, Charles Caudrelier and Gildas Morvan. Sam is more than happy with her performance on this part of the race course. The main focus of the season remains La Solitaire du Figaro in August.

PROVISIONAL RESULTS:

1st CREDIT MARITIME-ZEROTWO, Eric Drouglazet 25d 7h 10m 49s av speed 7.02kts

2nd BOSTIK, Charles Caudrelier 25d 11h 48m av speed 6.97kts

3rd CERCLE VERT, Gildas Morvan 25d 12h 44m 15s av speed 6.96kts

4th ATAO AUDIO SYSTEM, Dominic Vittet 23d 14h 11m 1s av speed 6.94kts

5th TOTAL, Marc Emig 25d 15h 5m 56s av speed 6.93kts

6th SKANDIA, Sam Davies 25d 15h 22m 20s av speed 6.93kts