Champion Stamm arrives triumphant in Basque Country

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Bernard Stamm. Photo EFE

After 3,200 miles of North Atlantic racing, Bernard Stamm took his Open 60, Cheminées Poujoulat, across the VELUX 5 OCEANS Leg 3 finish line outside the harbour wall of Puerto Deportivo Getxo, Bilbao (Basque Country), at 17:13 and 25 seconds European time (16:13 BST, 15:13 UTC) this afternoon.

The outstanding Swiss solo sailor takes Leg 3 line honours and first place overall in this edition of the race after leading the fleet throughout a gruelling 29,000 mile circumnavigation of the world.

Fifteen press boats and a throng of spectator craft followed Stamm as the wind dropped and the persistent rain ceased to greet the event's defending champion as Cheminées Poujoulat reached across the east-west aligned finish line in westerly breeze.

Leaving his Open 60 to finish the race under autopilot, Stamm stood on the yacht's starboard side, windmilling his arms and waving to his young family on board the VELUX 5 OCEANS committee boat.

Seconds after crossing the line, Stamm took Cheminées Poujoulat staboard-side-to the committee boat and the 2006-07 VELUX 5 OCEANS reigning champion was reunited with his family, his shore team and congratulated by representatives from his sponsor.

Meanwhile, the mast of Spirit of Yukoh is in sight and Kojiro Shiraishi will take second place within the hour.

Local sailor Unai Basurko expected to arrive on weekend.