Le Cleac'h closes in on record Vendee Globe victory

Armel Le Cleac'h was Thursday less than 100 nautical miles from a record first Vendee Globe triumph after fighting off Alex Thomson's titanic challenge in the solo round the world yacht race.

Barring any last minute mishap, Le Cleac'h, who has led the pack for a month and a half, will cross the finish line between 1500 and 1900 GMT according to race organisers.

After almost 74 days of racing both yachtsmen are destined to shatter Francois Gabart's 2012-2013 record mark of 78 days 2hr 16 min.

Gabart will be in the forecast crowd of over 350,000 waiting to give the 39-year-old Frenchman a hero's welcome when he finally arrives at Les Sables d'Olonne on France's Atlantic coast.

At the helm of Banque Populaire Le Cleac'h was only 98 nautical miles from the finish at 0800 GMT, with Thomson on Hugo Boss 95.86nm adrift in second.

Thomson was bidding to become the first non-French winner of the race which started in Les Sables d'Olonne on November 6.

But the Welshman's push for glory petered out late Wednesday when he was hampered by problems with his automatic pilot on board his boat.

He is expected to cross the finish four hours after Le Cleac'h, who will be praying he avoids any last minute technical hiccups or a collision with a fishing boat or cargo vessel in the dash for port.

Thomson, in a radio link with organisers, had complained of fatigue and was pessimistic about his chances. Asked if he would still win, he said: "I don't think I can... I don't have real options anymore."

For Le Cleac'h victory will be extra sweet after the father of two came off second best in the last two editions of the race described as sailing's 'Everest'.

Both men had to sail past Les Sables d'Olonne toward the English Channel to get a favourable wind to bring them back down the coast faster to the finish line. 

"Tell him to stay behind," Le Cleac'h told a French Navy helicopter that flew over his boat and asked whether he had a message for Thomson.

Around 300,000 people packed Les Sables d'Olonne and the nearby coast when the race started with 29 competitors, with only 18 left in the race.

If all goes according to plan Le Cleac'h will become the seventh yachtmaan to lift the Vendee Globe which was first staged 28 years ago.

Vendee Globe standings at 0800 GMT Thursday:

1. Armel Le Cleac'h (FRA/Banque Populaire VIII) at 98 nautical miles from the finish

2. Alex Thomson (GBR/Hugo Boss) at 95.86 nautical miles behind leader

3. Jeremie Beyou (FRA/Maitre Coq) at 708.06

4. Yann Elies (FRA/Queguiner-Leucemie Espoir) at 1,931.87

5. Jean Le Cam (FRA/Finistere Mer Vent) at 1940.1

6. Jean-Pierre Dick (FRA/StMichel-Virbac) at 1,953.34

7. Louis Burton (FRA/Bureau Vallee) at 2,987.59

8. Nandor Fa (HUN/Spirit of Hungary) at 4,553.46

9. Eric Bellion (FRA/CommeUnSeulHomme) at 5,185.6

10. Conrad Colman (NZL/Foresight Natural Energy) at 5,325.64

Source: AFP