Desjoyeaux wins Vendee Globe

Michel Desjoyeaux also won the Vendee Globe eight years ago

Frenchman Michel Desjoyeaux won the Vendee Globe solo around-the-world yacht race after just over 84 days.

The 43-year-old arrived into port on the west coast of France with a substantial lead over compatriot Roland Jourdain who is several days behind.

The gruelling event forced more than half the 30-strong field to abandon the race, including defending champion Vincent Riou of France.

Briton Samantha Davies is fourth with over 2,600 nautical miles left to sail.

Magic, even if I experienced this eight years ago Michel Desjoyeaux

The 34-year-old Davies, though, is set to be credited with fifth after Riou was handed third equal despite pulling out when his yacht PRB was dismasted in the rescue of Jean Le Cam near Cape Horn.

Desjoyeaux's time of 84 days, three hours, nine minutes and eight seconds also smashed Riou's 2004 record of 87 days, 10 hours.

The Foncia skipper also becomes the first person to win the Vendee twice, after pipping Britain's Ellen MacArthur to victory in 2001.

The Frenchman's arrival was met with a fireworks display, an armada of small boats and thousands of spectators.

606: DEBATE Pay tribute to Desjoyeaux

"Incredible with the sun coming out. Magic, even if I experienced this eight years ago," he said.

"I still don't understand how I'm here like this. I just tried to sail my boat as well as I could. A race is won largely before it begins with experience and preparation - 80% before, 20% during the race by working hard.

"I didn't need to push too hard, wasn't stressed at any point, and it seemed very easy. Even 25th December with a rudder problem I dealt with it. I didn't sit there worrying about it."

Desjoyeaux's win was all the more remarkable as he had an initial 40-hour gap to make up on the leading vessels after having to return to the start at Les Sables d'Olonne to repair an electrical fault.

"He was above everyone else. He is in peak form," said Jourdain, who was more than 1,000 nautical miles behind.

Desjoyeaux's triumph also earned a tribute from the French president Nicolas Sarkozy.

"With this latest extraordinary victory, Michel Desjoyeaux confirms his status as the most titled sailor in solo (racing)," Sarkozy said.

Desjoyeaux has also won the Solitaire du Figaro in 1992, 1998 and 2007, the Route du Rhum in 2002, and the single-handed Trans-Atlantic Race in 2004.

Of the 11 sailors still competing, Britain's Brian Thompson was in sixth place, Dee Caffari seventh and Steve White ninth.

The 28,000 nautical mile Vendee Globe route goes in an easterly direction around the world, passing the three great landmarks of Cape of Good Hope, Cape Leeuwin and Cape Horn off the southern tips of Africa, Australia and the Americas respectively.

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