Neuschäfer emotional after round-the-world heroics: 'It's too much after all these months alone'

South African Kirsten Neuschäfer made history late on Thursday by becoming the first female mariner to win a solo round-the-world race as she crossed the line on the French coast after 235 gruelling days in the  Golden Globe round-the-world race.

The 39-year-old, in her boat Minnehaha, conquered the three Capes (Good Hope, Leeuwin and Horn) and her 15 rivals without being allowed to stop off at other ports, permitted any help or equipped with modern navigation devices.

It was doubly pleasing for Neuschäfer that her victory came on South Africa's Freedom Day - so named as it was the date in 1994 of the first post-apartheid elections.

"It's Mandela Day and of all the people I know, if there is one person I wish I could have met, it's Nelson Mandela," she said at her victor's press conference on Friday.

"I love South Africa the way it is now, and that's thanks to him - his sacrifice was immense."

Neuschäfer hugged her proud mother on stepping shore at Les Sables d'Olonne.

She said on Friday her success was something her mother's generation could never have aspired to.

"Liberty for me is the freedom to have been able to do that race," she said.

"In this day and age, I can do these things if I want to.

"My mother's generation, she couldn't and women couldn't back then, or the battle could have been a lot tougher."

The challenging nature of the race was illustrated by the fact that only two other competitors are on course to officially finish the race.

India's Abhilash Tomy should arrive in the coming days while Michael Guggenberger of Austria is believed to be afloat round the Canary Islands.

British sailor Simon Curwen crossed the line first mid-afternoon on Thursday but he had lost his chance of being crowned the victor as he had