FRENCHMAN Loick Peyroa out raced compatriot Paul Vatine in the final hours to win the Europe 1 Star TransAtlantic., solo sail race arriving in Newport, Rhode Island yesterday afternoon.

A stiff breeze overnight kept both men on a strong pace. But Peyron in Fujicolor extended his slim lead into nearly 20 nautical miles with that same distance remaining from the finish.

Calm conditions slowed his approach, but could not dim the joy at winning the event, which began in Plymouth, England.