- Francois Gabart managed to circumnavigate the planet in 42 days and 16 hours
- He beat record, set by fellow Frenchman Thomas Coville last year, by six days
- Supporters waited to fete him in nearby Brest in France on Sunday afternoon
A French sailor has smashed the world record for completing a solo journey around the world after cutting six days off the current mark.
Francois Gabart managed to circumnavigate the planet in 42 days and 16 hours.
He was six days faster than the previous record holder, set by fellow Frenchman Thomas Coville last year.
Francois Gabart managed to circumnavigate the planet in 42 days and 16 hours
Gabart was six days faster than fellow Frenchman Thomas Coville who completed the same journey last year
The organisers, tracking his journey by satellite, tweeted that the 34-year-old reached the finish line near Ouessant island off France’s western coast on his trimaran called Macif before dawn on Sunday.
Dozens of vessels swarmed around the boat, accompanying Mr Gabart as he waved torches.
Supporters waited to fete him in nearby Brest, a historic port city and sailing capital from where he departed on November 4 and where residents have been following his travels.
‘It’s a crazy pleasure … all this human energy,’ Mr Gabart said later. ‘I’m a solitary sailor but this is a pleasure.’
Francois Gabart celebrates his world record with his team