French yachtsman Yves Parlier has finally finished the Vendee Globe round-the-world race after 126 days 23 hours and 36 minutes.

The Frenchman crossed the line over a month after compatriot, and winner, Michel Desjoyeaux.

Desjoyeaux narrowly beat Britain's Ellen MacArthur into second place.

Parlier's journey was not without its drama.

On 17 December, the mast on his Aquitaine Innovations yacht broke in the Indian Ocean.

The brave sailor had to make an emergency stop on Stewart Island, near New Zealand, where he used his initiative to cut down a tree to make another mast - although it was 10 metres smaller than the original one.