The champagne corks were popping as a victorious Vail Williams, sponsored by the Hampshire commercial property company, crossed the finish line off the Royal Yacht Squadron to take Race 2 of the Challenge Transat.

Just an hour behind was Logica, which also just missed first place on the outward event to Boston from Southampton.

The race had been a fight to the finish. Long-time leader Vail Williams was becalmed just west of the French coast on Saturday and was pushed back by the tide. Logica, which had been dogging the leader for days, was visible only a few miles behind.

The slow conditions had supporters and race officials planning for a finish on Sunday evening when a low pressure system turned into a full gale. Boat speeds increased dramatically, reaching 15 knots at times, as the fleet charged through the Channel.

A closely kept secret aboard Vail Williams was earlier damage to a spinnaker, which kept one watch battling to keep the lead while the other worked around the clock to repair an 80-foot tear. Up to nine crew members packed the galley armed with needles and with the help of 800 metres of sewing thread, the spinnaker was ready for use when needed three days later.

The win particularly pleased Vail Williams director, Jeremy Lear, himself a keen competitor and Skandia Life Cowes Week winner, but in a somewhat smaller keelboat class - the 20-foot Victory.