Team Stelmar first to La Rochelle

Tight finish for Global Challenge boats after transatlantic leg

Leg 6 of the Global Challenge - the transatlantic sprint from Boston to La Rochelle - was won today by Team Stelmar, skippered by Clive Cosby, in a time of 14 days 16hours 37 minutes, 33 seconds

Throughout the race the crew, who had two major medical evacuations in the Southern Ocean, said they could do it and today they proved it, beating second place BG Spirit by just 32 minutes and 36 seconds.

“It’s an awesome feeling,” explained Cosby. “Technically we played it a little bit differently and it really worked out. We’re absolutely over the moon; a great result.”

Looking forwards he said: “We want another win now so we’re up towards the top of the pack. After everything we’ve been through it’s our proudest moment!”

BG Spirit took second place over the line, finishing at 06:10:09 GMT. Skipper, Andy Forbes and his team moved into second place just in time and although positions are provisional at this stage, they look set to retain their place at the top of the overall leaderboard.

“We’re absolutely ecstatic as we fought hard out there," said Forbes. "Our aim was to get in front of BP Explorer and Spirit of Sark and we did it. We put a whole boat between us so we’ve got a 5 point buffer for the next leg. We’re very, very, very happy!”

In third place Imagine It. Done, skippered by Dee Caffari, took the last remaining podium position over the line by beating BP Explorer and Me to You with just 11 minutes between the three board at the end.

"Finally we have made it onto the podium!" enthused skipper Dee Caffari, clearly happy with the result. “The crew worked so hard the whole way through that it’s really good to see it pay off this time. It was pretty heavy sailing last night but we just needed a strong iron will to keep going. We were within sight of seven boats all last night. It’s going to be even tighter for the last leg.”

They finished Leg 6 at 06:29:31 GMT to claim third place. just 8 minutes and 32 seconds later BP Explorer finished, narrowly missed out on the podium spot at 06:37:53.

Me to You quickly followed, ending a three-way fight to the line - remarkable considering the 3,000nm race that preceded the dramatic dash to the finish. James Allen and his team finished just 2 minutes and 52 seconds after BP Explorer.

Barclays Adventurer were next to finish, 24 minutes behind Me To You. was just a few miles behind them and crossed 22 minutes behind again, completing the arrival of the group of Seven teams that has been separated by just 15nm or less for days on end.

Pindar were just a couple of hours back, approaching the finish line at an average speed of 11.5 knots.

Team Save the Children were next finishing 1 hour 17 minutes behind Pindar with Vaio snapping hard on their heels in 10th place, one hour 23 minutes behind. SAIC La Jolla, winning for earlier stages of the race, crossed the finish line in 11th place.

Finally Samsung is the 12th yacht racing to the finish line. Their ETA set at 19.00 GMT (4th July 2005).

The celebrations in La Rochelle are in full swing for the crews who, once again, are exchanging stories of the hard, fast and exceptionally competitive racing, whilst catching up with family and friends who have made it in their droves to the final stopover.

With 11 yachts finishing so close their partying in La Rochelle will undoubtedly carry on long into the night as the crews make the most of the final stopover as their adventure draws to an end.

All the yachts will be berthed in the Bassin des Chatuliers in the heart of the old town in La Rochelle.

Leg results

Team Stelmar - 14 days 16 hours 37 minutes 33 seconds
BG Spirit - 14 d 17h 10m 9s
Imagine It. Done. - 14d 17h 29m 31s
BP Explorer - 14d 17h 37m 53s
Me To You - 14d 17h 40m 45s
Barclays Adventurer - 14d 18h 4m 14s
Spirit of Sark - 14d 18h 26m 39s
Pindar- 14d 21h 12m 18s
Team Save the Children - 14d 22h 31m 31s
VAIO- 14d 23h 54m 11s
SAIC La Jolla - 15d 0h 27m 38s
Samsung - Still racing