Instead of launching straight into a downhill sleigh ride, the 13 first starters in the Transatlantic Race 2015 have endured a tricky first night at sea.

An intense low-pressure system rolling up the Atlantic Coast put competitors and race officials on edge for the 48 hours leading up to the first start of the Transatlantic Race 2015, from Newport,

This morning at 02:22, 24-year-old Magma Structures skipper Alan Roberts became the top British Solitaire du Figaro – Eric Bompard finisher in 40 years.

Despite having won the Volvo Ocean Race with a leg to spare, Ian Walker and all his crew slipped into Gothenburg to take fifth place on the final leg with mile-wide grins on their faces.

Team Alvimedica won the final offshore battle, claiming the final leg nine of the Volvo Ocean Race, into Gothenberg, but overall glory belonged to overall race winning Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing.