After six months of sailing, the Ocean Globe Race (OGR) fleet is nearing the Isle of Wight coast, with the first yacht due to arrive off Cowes today (Friday).

Crews left the Solent in September for a round-the-world adventure, celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the first Whitbread Race. 

The first yacht home, Pen Duick VI, is expected to cross the Royal Yacht Squadron finish line in Cowes later, taking line honours.

L’Esprit d’équipe, which has raced in three previous Whitbread races and is now skippered by Lionel Regnier, is expected in Cowes approximately 48 hours later. 

The remainder of the fleet, including south coast-based UK entry, Maiden, are expected next week.

Triana FR is expected to take the outright overall win, while Maiden is on course for the IRC win.

Italy's Translated 9 will not be among those making it back. It was forced to retire, diverting to Madeira due to cracks in the hull.

Meanwhile, the returning yachts will stop at Trinity Landing in Cowes for 48 hours after their arrival. 

The OGR is a 27,000-mile sprint around the globe, across four legs.

Taking in the Southern Ocean and the three Great Capes, stopovers have included Cape Town, South Africa, Auckland, New Zealand and Punta del Este, Uruguay.