Sir Robin Knox-Johnston believes Loick Peyron deserves to win the Route De Rhum in a new record time

As of tea-time today, Peyron was 178 natical miles from the finish line in Guadeloupe, with his nearest rival over 240 miles adrift.

To beat the established race record of 7 days and 17 hours, he needs to break the line by 0619hrs tomorrow morning.

Winning the Route du Rhum would add to a remarkably full collection of sailing honours.

In 2011-12 Peyron skippered the 14-man team which currently holds the all out non-stop around the world Jules Verne Trophy record aboard Banque Populaire V, the trimaran which is ironically finishing second to him as Spindrift 2.

He has won the Transat three times, and the Transat Jacques Vabre twice. Adding to the B2B race back from Brazil in 2007, this will be his seventh Transatlantic win solo or two up.

Peyron has lead since the first night of the race and has scarcely put a foot wrong, supported by routers Marcel van Triest and Armel Le Cleac'h.

Sir Robin said: “I have known Loick since 1986 and he is the most delightful guy as well as a fantastic sailor and I shall be absolutely delighted for him.

“He is one of these people who needs to, and deserves to not just win this race but to also set a record.”

Sir Robin’s Open 60 Grey Power is progressively attacking the boats in front of him.

“I have just overtaken a Class 40, we chatted on the VHF for a bit which was nice,” he reported earlier.

“These conditions do suit my boat better and so I am going better than I was yesterday.

“It is not a boat for racing upwind or close hauled.

“Once the wind frees off, as it has now, she picks up and goes.

“We are much faster since last night.

“I was quick across Biscay and I feel am closing in on the boats in front. “The conditions are just what you would expect in the Atlantic at this time of year but right now the sun is shining, the sea is blue, the sky is blue.

“It is wonderful sailing.”