Sebastien S. Simon, a Frenchman from the Vendee Globe, broke the solo monohull 24 hour distance record on Wednesday. He sailed 602,56 nautical miles and beat his compatriot Yoann RICHOMME's previous mark by 22.7%.

In recent times, the fleet has been propelled by an ever-moving depression. Records have been rewritten on a regular basis.

Groupe Dubreuil's skipper Simon is in the lead group. Also included are record-breakers Richomme and Nicolas Lunven. Thomas Ruyant leads, Charlie Dalin, Jeremie Beyou, and leader Charlie Dalin.

"I beat my record!" Simon replied, "It's not the goal, but the boat is doing well. There is only one metre sea and a reasonable breeze between 24 to 26 knots."

"I have 2 reefs under FRO in my mainsail. This is a safe configuration for our boat." This is a distance I never would have thought possible. I don't think it's over yet because our situation is improving.

"I'm not dropping off this depression this evening because I'm in the front group. I will continue at this pace for another day. I hope I can beat the record again."

Simon's record falls less than 40 nautical mile short of the 24-hour crewed world record held by Lunven’s Holcim PRB vessel which logged 641,48 nautical miles on the fifth leg in The Ocean Race 2023.

The Vendee Globe, also known as the "Everest of the Seas", is a non-stop, solo sailing race around the world.

The route, which starts and ends in Les Sables-d'Olonne in France, spans about 24,000 nautical mile, and sailors have to deal with harsh and remote sea conditions.

The race began on November 10 with 40 skippers from 11 countries, including six women competitors.

The Frenchman Yannick bestaven won in 2020-21 after 80 days, three hours and forty-four minutes. Reporting by Aadi Nai in Bengaluru, Editing by Christian Radnedge

(source: Reuters)