Gabart Sets New 24 Hour Record

(July 3, 2016) – Having covered 778 miles at an average speed of 32.4 knots, François Gabart has today surpassed the recently ratified 24 hour singlehanded record of 718.5-miles secured on June 8 2016 by Thomas Coville aboard the 120-foot trimaran Sodebo 4. Gabart’s pace will now await approval of the World Sailing Speed Record Council.

After setting sail from New York on July 2 to tackle the singlehanded North Atlantic record, the skipper of the 100-foot trimaran MACIF has been confronting sustained WSW’ly winds of 30 knots since yesterday, which have enabled him to rack up the miles required to snatch this first record.

The wind conditions are set to remain stable throughout the day, so he may well be in a position to improve on this record between now and this evening.

Gabart also holds the 24-hour singlehanded distance record on a monohull (545.34 miles covered aboard the 60-foot monohull MACIF during the Vendée Globe, on 09/12/2012).

The current North Atlantic crossing record between New York and Lizard Point is held by Francis Joyon, who sailed it in 5 days, 2 hours, 56 minutes and 10 seconds. To break the record, Gabart must arrive at Lizard Point before Thursday, July 7 (UT+1) on 05H 14’ 55’’ (French time UT+1).

Team website – Facebook – Tracker

MACIF trimaran 2016 programme
July 13–19: Brest Maritime Festival
September/October: On standby for Mediterranean Record attempt

MACIF trimaran specs
Official name: MACIF
Architects: VLP
Construction: CDK Technologies (project management), Multiplast (Central hull, mainsheet traveller)
Launch date: 18 August 2015
Length: 30 m
Beam: 21 m
Max draught: 4.5 m
Number of centreboards: 3
Air draught: 35 m
Sail area upwind: 430 m²
Sail area downwind: 650m² (777 sq. yd.)

Source: Service presse trimaran MACIF