This Wednesday lunch time Ari Huusela has just 330 nautical miles to the finish line of the Vendée Globe and is almost due west of Les Sables d’Olonne. Enjoying flat seas and gentle winds he is making around 10-11kts today and it talking about a Friday finish. The 58 year old Finnish airline pilot had a shower and a shave in yesterday’s sunshine and is enjoying the final days of a race which he says could only ever be a ‘one time only’ challenge.

This Wednesday lunch time Ari Huusela has just 330 nautical miles to the finish line of the Vendée Globe and is almost due west of Les Sables d’Olonne. Enjoying flat seas and gentle winds he is making around 10-11kts today and it talking about a Friday finish. The 57 year old Finnish airline pilot had a shower and a shave in yesterday’s sunshine and is enjoying the final days of a race which he says could only ever be a ‘one time only’ challenge.

Ari Huusela says Sunday was a down day, no doubt because after the finish of Alexia Barrier he was the only skipper left at sea, but today as the Les Sables d'Olonne finish line draws ever closer he is back to being Super Happy Ari. The sun is out, STARK is moving steadily and Ari is on course....

Ari Huusela says Sunday was a down day, no doubt because after the finish of Alexia Barrier he was the only skipper left at sea, but today as the Les Sables d'Olonne finish line draws ever closer he is back to being Super Happy Ari. The sun is out, STARK is moving steadily and Ari is on course....

Ari Huusela's objective today is to get STARK under the '600 miles to the finish' mark, or as racing sailors know it 'one Fastnet'. He has had a slowed night and is struggling for good rest but his mood is picking up with the breeze. And he would like some sunshine, proper sunshine....all good on STARK though and Huusela is proud to have his boat in great condition.