Thomas Coville sets new Transatlantic Sailing Record on Sodeb'O

Lizard Point, UK - Under thick fog, a red blur of a boat called Sodeb'O has crossed the line at Lizard Point and set a new singlehanded transatlantic sailing record.  Thomas Coville made the finish just after 9:00AM for a total time of 5 days, 19 hours, 29 minutes and 20 seconds.    This time beats Francis Joyon's record by several hours, and earns Coville bragging rights as the new man to beat.

Said Joyon:  "I congratulate Thomas for his Atlantic record, and for the great patience he showed in New York to get this weather window. In 2005, on the first IDEC, we also had waited more than three months."

A true Maxi, the carbon fiber trimaran Sodeb'O is 32m (105') long with a 16.5m (55') beam, and sports a 35m (115') mast, yet weighs just 12 metric tons (13 short tons).  A lot of boat to handle, and with a time like this, it's clear the boat was handled 24-hours a day.  Coville must be one tired sailor - make that one tired transatlantic record-holder.  A huge section of the Brest Festival fleet has sailed out to meet Coville and Sodeb'O, and will be escorting the two in to the festival in fine, heroic fashion.

READ MORE ABOUT: Sailing Records

READ MORE ABOUT: Sodeb'O

• World Record Attempt - Sodeb’O Sailing across the Atlantic
• Sodeb'O Sailing Blind at Breakneck Speeds

Video: Thomas Coville on Sodeb'O (in French)