Kojiro Shiraishi sailed his Open 40 Spirit of yukoh across the finish line in Cape Town at 22:05:51 local time (20:05:51 GMT) on 3 December to take fourth place in Class 2 of Around Alone 2002-03 Leg 2.

Moments after crossing the line sushi was brought to the boat from Balducci’s Restaurant – the one thing Koji had been dreaming of since leaving Torbay, England 50 days ago.

The leg from England had been long and arduous after a hasty pit-stop in Torbay for major emergency work which included replacing the keel bolts.

Having had her keel sorted out, the Finot-designed ‘Spirit of yukoh’ proved she was a rocket ship downwind having twice last week, in the Trade Winds, made serious inroads into the fleet ahead. However, despite here devastating speed she hit light, fickle breezes and unfavourable upwind conditions which scuttled any plans of a podium finish. With a fourth place finish she is still ahead of Bayer Ascensia, the only 50-footer still sailing.