Last Sunday, December 17, 34-year-old French yachtsman François Gabard set a new world solo record in his sailing trimaran Macif.

François Gabard set new solo circumnavigation record
At 2:45 am French time, he crossed the finish line between Cape Lizard and Ouessant Island, in the westernmost point of the Breton water area, having successfully completed his solo circumnavigation of the world.
On board Macif, Francois Gabart covered almost 28,000 nautical miles, in just 42 days 16 hours 40 minutes and 35 seconds. The previously set record time was 49 days and 3 hours - a result that belongs to the famous French skipper Sodebo, Thomas Coville. François Gabard cut Covil's record time by more than 6 days, setting new record marks at nearly every checkpoint along the way.

François Gabard set new solo circumnavigation record

His new record time is the second fastest circumnavigation overall, behind only Francis Joyon skipper IDEC Sport and his crew, who completed their circumnavigation in January, fighting for Jules Verne Cupwhich lasted 40 days, 23 hours and 30 minutes.
During his solo circumnavigation, Gabar set another record, sailing 851 nautical miles in 24 hours, breaking his own world record, which he had previously set, also on board. Macif, which was 784 nautical miles in 24 hours.
He also achieved record times in several other stages:
- From Ouessant Island to the Cape of Good Hope: 12 days 20 hours 10 minutes
- From Tasmania to Cape Horn: 7 days 15 hours 15 minutes
- From Cape Horn to Equator: 6 days 22 hours 15 minutes
Francois Gabard admitted that he had not even dreamed of such a result. He understood that he could break the previous record, at best by 1-2 days, and this is in the best scenario, with the help of many factors, at least weather.
Approaching the finish line, he said that he himself was surprised by his result. But this is not so surprising. In 2013 Gabar finished first in the round-the-world race Vendée Globe, which is considered the "Everest of sailing", having covered a distance of over 24,000 nautical miles in a record time of 78 days 2 hours 16 minutes 40 seconds. For winning the regatta, he was awarded the order Legion of Honor of the French Republic, which was presented to him by the President of France.

François Gabard set new solo circumnavigation record

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