Modest, shy and – as the French would say – very discrete, Didac Costa was enchanting as he spoke to his Press Conference in his native Spanish language today. And if Didac can be quiet and unassuming his welcome by his counterparts from the Les Sables d’Olonne Sapeurs Pompiers – the local firefighters – was sustained, loud and appreciative. That special bond created in 2016 when they were instrumental in getting him back on the race course after his generator and electrical problems brought him back to Les Sables d’Olonne, are stronger than ever. Suffice to say Didac’s welcome was truly special.

Catalonian firefighter Didac Costa finished his second Vendée Globe solo round the world race this evening at 19:47:03hrs UTC, crossing the line off Les Sables d’Olonne in 20^th place in an elapsed time of 97d 06hrs 27m 03s. When he set off with the record sized field of 33 solo skippers on Sunday 8^th November, the quiet, humble skipper from Barcelona was hoping to beat his 108d 19hrs time on the 2016-17 race and to get closer to the 94 days 4 hours record for his boat set when it was new, finishing second in 2001 in the hands of Ellen MacArthur

Here are a few little highlights of the Press Conference of Alan Roura the young skipper of La Fabrique who has already completed two Vendee Globes at the age of 27.