François Gabart broke the round-the-world sailing record on Sunday, December 17, 2017. An exceptional record and sailor.
François Gabart crossed the finish line of his round-the-world voyage off the coast of Brest this Sunday morning. skipper Macif simply shattered the record of Thomas Covilledating from last year, he circumnavigated the globe in 42 days, 16 hours, and 40 minutes—an exceptional time. Having set off on November 4th, the skipper needed to return before 1:09 PM on December 23rd to break the round-the-world record. This record had been set on December 25, 2016, by Thomas Coville aboard his trimaran Sodebo, in 49 days, 3 hours, and 7 minutes. François Gabart beat the record by 6 days and 10 hours.
François Gabart’s exceptional world tour
Because yes, we can truly call this an exceptional event. In an era where people try to create a buzz out of almost nothing, where everything is an event, François Gabart puts a capital letter back into the meaning of the word. And sailing is no exception. When every image posted on YouTube is labeled exceptional, in order to generate buzz, François Gabart shows what an exceptional record truly is.
Given this impressive weather, this record is exceptional.François Gabart didn’t even dare imagine beating this record by 6 days.He explained it again, discreetly, at the press conference this afternoon. The sporting event itself is exceptional. This type of boat, the ultim trimaransThey are giants of the seas. These require extreme concentration at every moment, as well as significant, non-stop physical effort.
François Gabart, a top-level athlete
The other key takeaway from this event is the skipper’s skill level. François Gabart is a top-level athlete, a true professional of the sea, as well as an adventurer. And that’s what sets him apart.
François Gabart is a true professional. Before embarking on this round-the-world voyage, he spent two years preparing the boat. Two years sailing, winning transatlantic races. This program had a single goal: to optimize the boat. He explains that until his boat was ready, there was no question of setting sail. Nothing is left to chance. François Gabart is one of those rare sailors who never breaks down. Of course, anything can happen, but you can tell he’s one of those athletes for whom preparation is as important as the adventure itself. And it’s a temperament that sometimes stands out in the world of competitive sailing.
The history of round-the-world records in multihulls
1974: Alain Colas (Manureva, 21m trimaran Manureva): 169 days after a stopover.
1988: Philippe Monnet (23.50 m Kriter Brut de Brut trimaran): 129 days 19 hours and 17 minutes after two stopovers.
1989: Olivier de Kersauson (23m trimaran Un Autre Regard): 125 days, 19 hours and 32 minutes after two stopovers.
2004: Francis Joyon (29.70 m IDEC trimaran): 72 days, 22 hours and 54 minutes.
2005: Ellen MacArthur (22.90 m trimaran B & Q – Castorama): 71 days 14 hours and 18 minutes.
2008: Francis Joyon (29.70 m IDEC trimaran): 57 days 13 hours and 34 minutes.
2016: Thomas Coville (31m trimaran Sodebo): 49 days 3 hours and 7 minutes.