Armel Le Cleac'h has wrapped up the Vendee Globe in a record-breaking time, denying Great Britain's Alex Thomson glory.

The Banque Populaire VIII skipper finished runner-up in 2008 and 2012, but the eighth edition of single-handed offshore racing's ultimate test has seen him go one better.

British sailor Thomson had been cutting into his lead as they headed towards Les Sabeles d'Olonne, only for issues with the wind instruments on his 60ft race boat Hugo Boss to have knock-on effects and leave him dangerously tired.

It allowed Le Cleac'h to race towards the finish and cross in a time of 74 days, three hours and 35 minutes - smashing the race record set by Francois Gabart four years ago by three days, 22 hours and 41 minutes.

"My feeling is that this is a dream come true," Le Cleac'h said. "I hoped to win this race 10 years ago but I finished second.

"Today is a perfect day. My team have been amazing they're the dream team, and this is their day too.

"I'm very happy for Alex, it's a great second place. It has been very difficult with him behind me, he gave me a really hard time in this Vendee Globe."

Second-placed Thomson is expected to cross the finish line in the early hours of Friday morning.