Legendary sailor Sir Robin Knox-Johnston's has fallen behind the podium positions on the transatlantic Route du Rhum race - but is not giving up hope of a top three finish.

The 75-year-old grandfather of five and the first man to sail solo, nonstop round the world in the 1960s, had been tussling for a podium place in the Rhum class - recently holding third for 36 hours - but has dropped more than 60 nautical miles off Andrea Mura in third today.

He was, at one point, was just a mile away from Mura on the race from St Malo in France to the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe.

But while he's lost ground, he hasn't lost hope of climbing the rankings once more on his Open 60 Grey Power.

“We are all pushing hard,” he wrote on his blog. “And you look at the wake and the sails, and wonder at how it all holds together propelling 12 tons of boat, sails and stores at the speed it does.

“I am sure the other classes had their excitement, but between second and fifth in the Rhum class there's everything to race for.”

As of last night Sir Robin had around 980 nautical miles left to the finish and was enjoying good winds. His estimated arrival is on 25 November.