French sailor smashes solo world record

French sailor smashes solo world record
Copyright 
By Euronews
Share this articleComments
Share this articleClose Button
Copy/paste the article video embed link below:Copy to clipboardCopied
ADVERTISEMENT

French sailor Francois Gabart has smashed the record for sailing solo around the world.

The 34-year-old circumnavigated the planet in just 42 days and 16 hours.

That is six days and 10 hours faster than the previous record set by fellow Frenchman Thomas Coville last year.

Such a feat was thought unthinkable by many pundits, but Gabart was able to clock up eye-watering speeds of around 35 knots in his trimaran yacht.

His success was partly down to luck with the weather, but it wasn't all plane sailing. Over the final few days the French skipper was forced to slow down to protect his boat in strong winds.

Gabart was welcomed back in the French port of Brest early on Sunday, the place where he set off on November 4.

Share this articleComments

You might also like

French Alps and Mediterranean coast surprise frontrunners to host 2030 Winter Olympic Games

Politician calls to strip footballer Karim Benzema of French citizenship over Muslim Brotherhood

Springboks go with Kolbe, Arendse on wings to start Rugby World Cup defence vs. Scotland