Intro:

The last two undecided classes in the Saint Malo-to-Guadeloupe Route du Rhum sailing race, Class 40 and Rhum class, were won in record time by Alex Pella and Anne Caseneuve respectively on Wednesday (19 November).

Script:

The Route du Rhum sailing race is a four-yearly solo event that started in 1978. It pits sailors against each other in a race across the Atlantic from Saint Malo in Brittany to Pointe-a-Pitre in Guadeloupe, a French overseas territory in the Caribbean.

Three of the five classes in the 2014 event had already been completed, the last two - Class 40 and Rhum class - saw their respective champions crowned on Wednesday.

Spaniard Alex Pella arrived into the largest city of Guadeloupe in the small hours of Wednesday, crossing the finish line at 2:47 am after spending 16 days, 17 hours, 47 minutes and 8 seconds at sea.

Rhum class winner Anne Caseneuve finished at 4:06 pm local time, well ahead of many Class 40 boats.

It was her final Route du Rhum - and she has beaten out some strong competition to win.

Defending champion Andrea Mura, who completed the 2010 race in 19 days and 9 hours, is currently in second place, while Sir Robin Knox-Johnston - the first sailor to circumnavigate the globe single-handedly - is in fourth.