British sailor Alex Thomson has beaten the world sailing record in the Vendee Globe, travelling 535.34 nautical miles in 24 hours. Francois Gabart set the record of 534.48 nautical miles in 2012 Vendee Globe and Thomson has sailed an additional 1,573 metres. However, the official rule of the world speed sailing record states that the record must be exceeded by one complete nautical mile further than the previous record in order to be ratified.
The distance Thomson sailed in 24 hours on Saturday 19th November which has been confirmed by the race organisers, makes him the fastest solo sailor on a 60ft monohull in a 24hour period.
This is the second record Thomson has broken during this edition of the Vendee Globe, with the first being the fastest time to the equator in Vendee Globe history; at 9 days, 7 hours and 3 minutes.
Thomson hit an unidentified object on Saturday morning but still managed to break the 24 hour record. And despite breaking off part of his starboard foil Thomson is still leading the fleet. HUGO BOSS is travelling at 21.7 knots, with 84.9 nautical miles between him and Edmond de Rothschild in second place.
Thomson is determined to be the first British Skipper to win the Vendée Globe. It is a race which could take up to 80 days and Alex Thomson is still one of the favourites to win.