An excited Didac Costa after crossing the arrival line.

The Barcelonese firefighter Didac Costa has completed today the Vendée Globe, the return to the world by sailing alone and without scales, considered the Everest of the oceans and the toughest sports test existing. Costa has travelled 27,964 miles in 108 days, 19 hours, 50 minutes and 45 seconds, at an average speed of 10.70 knots (19.81 kilometres per hour).

Costa is the second Spanish to finish this mythical race, which also completed the Basque José Luis de Ugarte in 1993, after 134 days of uninterrupted navigation. Before Costa, it had been tried by the Majorcan Javier Sansó (in 2000 and 2012) and the Basque Unai Basurko (in 2008), but had to retire before reaching the goal.

Despite the most limited budget of the 29 participants and being one of the four oldest ships in the fleet, the One Planet One Ocean has finished the race in 14th position.

On his arrival at Les Sables d'Olonne, the Barcelona navigator has been acclaimed by the large audience who always come to ovate the heroes who finish this very hard test. The reception of the local firefighters, who wanted to pay tribute to their fellow professional, has been noted. In the eight editions held so far, only 61 sailors had managed to complete it on at least one occasion. The Spanish is the 62nd that makes it.