John Kostecki and the flu-ridden crew of illbruck crossed the finish line off La Rochelle through a flotilla of spectator craft that gathered at the finish line at 1344 GMT.

This sets the end of a remarkable Atlantic crossing in just over 10 days. Winning this leg puts illbruck on top of the podium for the fourth time in the nine-leg Volvo Ocean Race. The daily run of 484 miles (to be ratified as a world record) is the icing on the cake of victory and will be celebrated by the sailing team and 100 illbruck guests who are already awaiting the yacht in La Rochelle on a foggy and wet day.

The victory on leg seven was an important step for the illbruck challenge towards securing overall victory in the Volvo Ocean Race. Still there are 16 points to be rewarded for the next two legs and the next competitor Assa Abloy is just eight points behind.

The race for fourth place between SEB, Amer Sports One and News Corp is hotting up.

Position Report, Day 12, 1352 GMT

1 ILBK (finished) 2 AART (31 miles to finish)

3 TYCO (37 miles to finish)

4 TSEB (56 miles to finish)

5 AONE (58 miles to finish)

6 NEWS (68 miles to finish)

7 DJCE (95 miles to finish)

8 ATOO (rtd with broken mast)