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French sailor Francis Joyon beats Ellen MacArthur's solo record

Tuesday, 22 January 2008

French sailor Francis Joyon beats Ellen MacArthur's solo record

French sailor Francis Joyon has beaten Ellen MacArthur's solo round-the-world record by more than 14 days, it has been reported.

Francis Joyon, 51, completed his journey in 57 days, 13 hours 34 minutes and six seconds to smash Ellen MacArthur's past record, which she had set in 2005.

Francis Joyon had started out from Brest on 23 November and he went over the finish line on Sunday 20 January.

Ellen MacArthur, 31, congratulated Francis Joyon on his achievement but she says that one day she may try to reclaim the record, however, it won’t be this year because she is already committed to enough projects for the time being.

Francis Joyon was delighted with his success but he pointed out that it hadn’t been easily won and he said: "In the night I almost hit a container ship and I had a fishing boat across from me. It has been a constant struggle."

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