Charlie Dalin crossed the finish line of the Vendée Globe sailing race on Wednesday night after nearly three months sailing solo around the world.
The 36-year-old Frenchman, competing in his first race, passed the Nouche Sud buoy near Les Sables d'Olonne after braving the ocean waves for 80 days, six hours and 15 minutes.
He was greeted by a flotilla of boats and celebration flares.
"I'm happy to have come home first," said Dalin. "It's a bit strange from going around the world on your own to suddenly encountering so many boats and no time to adjust. It's a bit strange."
The Apivia skipper will have an anxious wait to see if he is the overall winner.
Boris Herrmann in Seaexplorer-Yacht Club de Monaco was in third place on the approach to the finishing line.
The 39-year old German, who is bidding to become the first non-Frenchman to win the race, has a six-hour bonus for his part in the rescue of Kevin Escoffier off the Cape of Good Hope in December.
Another competitor, Yannick Bestaven, was given a 10hr 15minute bonus after his vessel Maitre Coq IV also went to Escoffier's aid.
They are expected over the line in the early hours of Thursday morning.
"It will be such an amazing finish," said Herrmann, on the last stretch before the line.
"On my calculations I have Bestaven winning on my routing scheme," he added.
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