French skipper Tom Laperche is on course to cross the finish line of the Route du Rhum transatlantic yacht race in Guadeloupe in a new record time on Saturday evening, having led from the start.
Laperche, 29, has a comfortable advantage over his rivals in the prestigious multi-hull category.
A total of 115 boats set off from Saint Malo last Sunday for the high-speed crossing of the Atlantic.
According to the latest estimates from race control, Laperche should reach Pointe-a-Pitre around 10:00pm local time on Saturday (0200 GMT Sunday).
His closest challengers Thomas Coville and Louis Burton were trailing him by 429 and 532 nautical miles respectively by early evening Friday.
"We've had a few very intense days, and it's taking its toll. I try to take naps whenever I can to stay alert at all times," said Laperche.
He must arrive before 07:49 GMT on Sunday to beat the record set in 2022 by Charles Caudrelier of 6 days and 19 hours -- and he is on track to do so.
But race director Francis Le Goff said that "after a week of accumulated fatigue, managing the end of the race will be tricky. Finding the right balance between pushing hard and preserving the equipment against the dangers of the sea is the key".
Caudrelier was forced to abandon his bid to win back-to-back Route du Rhum titles on Tuesday due to a broken foil, two days after setting sail from the French coast.
fd/gj/ea
