BREST, France (AP) — French skipper Loick Peyron set an around-the-world sailing record in the Jules Verne Trophy, breaking the old mark by nearly three days.
Peyron and his jubilant Banque Populaire V crew arrived late Friday night in Brest in a time of 45 days, 13 hours, 42 minutes, 53 seconds.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy spoke to Peyron by telephone to congratulate him as he approached shore.
French skipper Franck Cammas set the previous record of 48 days, 7 hours, 44 minutes, 52 seconds two years ago aboard the multihull vessel Groupama 3.
The Jules Verne Trophy is a prize for the fastest circumnavigation of the world by any type of yacht with no restrictions on the size of the crew.
