At his first time of trying, American Paul Cayard made history early yesterday morning as he skippered EF Language to overall victory in The Whitbread Round the World Race.
By finishing the penultimate stage of the race, from Baltimore to La Rochelle in France in sixth place, ahead of nearest contenders Swedish Match, EF Language ensured their overall lead is now unbeatable.
For the French crowds welcoming the race for the first time ever, there was no shortage of excitement, first as British skippers Paul Standbridge in Team Dennis Conner's American boat Toshiba, and Lawrie Smith in Silk Cut duelled for victory virtually to the finish line.
Only once in four days of racing within two miles of each other did Silk Cut sneak in front, and Toshiba's defences proved impregnable, finishing 10 minutes ahead of the British boat.
Then the all-girl crew of EF Education contrived their best result of the race so far with fourth.
The climax came in the hours of darkness at 0237 GMT, (0337 local time) as EF Language crossed the line to win the race overall, having kept Swedish Match in their shadow for the best part of 3390 miles.
By sailing a northern course to recover more than 180 miles from eighth place early in the leg, second place for Silk Cut keeps them in with a fighting chance of a top three place overall. Leg 8 result:
1 Toshiba, (P Standbridge, USA), finished May 16 17:37 GMT Elapsed time for leg 12d 23h:52m:03s; 2 Silk Cut (L Smith, Great Britain) 02min 31sec behind; 3 Chessie Racing (J Kostecki, USA), +02hr 27min 55sec; 4 EF Education ( C Guillou, Sweden) +7:19.57; 5 Merit Cup, (G Dalton, Monaco) +8:03.55.
Overall standings: 1 EF Language, 744 pts. 2 Swedish Match, 629. 3 Merit Cup, 593. 4 Chessie Racing, 583. 5 Silk Cut, 560. 6 Innovation Kvaerner, 552. 7 Toshiba, 478. 8 BrunelSunergy, 375. 9 EF Education, 255.
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