Francois Gabart, skipper of Macif, broke the 24-hour solo monohull distance record on Monday (December 10) and regained the lead in the Vendee Globe round-the-world race.
In a fine display of fast sailing, Frenchman Gabart covered 545.3 miles over the 24 hours from December 9 1500 hours GMT to December 10 1500 hours GMT.
By 0800 hours GMT on Monday, the 29-year-old Gabart had already bettered the recent mark of rival Jean-Pierre Dick, set only ten days ago when he made 515.6 miles on board Virbac Paprec 3.
Both records have yet to be ratified by the World Speed Sailing Records Council.
Gabart's attack in the Indian Ocean took him back into the overall lead, ahead of compatriot Armel Le Cléac'h. Gabart has an advantage of just over one mile after making up more than 54 miles to Le Cléac'h's Banque Populaire since Sunday (December 9) evening.
Speaking on day 30 of the three month non-stop race, Gabart said he would enjoy a couple of luxuries given to him by his parents.
"You need to live well in the conditions of the moment. My parents have been shopping and they have given me this drink and of course, Foie Gras, of which I have seven or eight tins for the whole race. So today I will have Foie Gras and my drink. A little bit of drunkenness will help me live the moment because it is really moving outside. I don't know if you can hear it in the background. Goodbye," said Gabart.
