François Gabart this afternoon won the 2012/13 Vendee Globe round the world yacht race.

The Frenchman crossed the Vendée finish line in a new round-the-world record time of 78 days, 2 hours and 16 minutes 40 seconds.

Gosport’s Alex Thomson, aiming to finish the Vendee for the first time ever, remains third, and earlier this afternoon was around 1,400 nautical miles from the finish line in Les Sables in France.

Warsash’ Mike Golding is sixth, around 2,600 nautical miles from the finishing line.