Alex Thomson beats 24 hour world distance record
The Brit is flying home towards the finish line in hot pursuit of the FrenchmanThe celebrity British sailor Alex Thomson has beaten the world sailing record for the second time in the Vendee Globe, travelling 536.81 nautical miles to become the the fastest solo sailor on a 60ft monohull in a 24-hour period.
The previous distance record of 534.48 nautical miles was set by Francois Gabart in the 2012 Vendee Globe. Thomson has sailed an additional 2.33 nautical miles.
The record has been confirmed by the Vendee Globe race organisation but has to be ratified by the world sailing council.
Thomson’s previous record was not ratified as 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 Sunday, December 15, has been confirmed by the race organisers and will surely make him the fastest solo sailor on a 60ft monohull in a 24-hour period.
Thomson is currently in second place, sailing 73.3 nautical miles behind rival Armel Le Cleac’h, in the battle for first place.
The gritty sailor 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 Thomson is still one of the favourites to win.
The Brit is flying home with wet sails in his compromised IMOCA 60 but somehow catching the wily Frenchman, Le Cleac’h, in what is fast becoming a nail-biting finish in the solo around-the-world yacht race.
More of this incredible yacht race as it reaches the pointy end at Vendee Globe.
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