Gabart abandons record attempt

French sailor François Gabart has decided not to continue his attempt to beat the North Atlantic crossing record between New York and Lizard Point.

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Unfavourable weather conditions have forced French skipper, François Gabart to abandon his North Atlantic crossing record attempt after just two days at sea. It was confirmed on Twitter by the Trimaran Macif and retweeted by Gabart.

gabart's tweet

The winner of this year’s Transat bakerly was trying to beat the record set three years ago by Francis Joyon, who sailed from New York to Lizard Point in 5 days, 2 hours, 56 minutes and 10 seconds.

Storms on 2 July had also caused some electronic problems aboard the 100-foot trimaran, MACIF, including issues with the autopilot.

However, it was not all disappointment for the 33-year-old skipper.

On 3 July, Gabart set a new 24 hour solo speed record on board the 100 foot MACIF.

See Gabart’s reaction after setting the new record below

Subject to official ratification from the World Sailing Speed Record Council, the new 24-hour solo speed record is now 785 nautical miles.

MACIF did an average of 32.7 knots through the 24 hours.

This beats the record set by fellow Frenchman, Thomas Coville last month.

Coville sailed 713.8 nautical miles solo in just 24 hours on board the 105-foot trimaran Sodeno Ultim, achieving an average speed of 29.75 knots

Coville made the record on 8 June while sailing from New York to Sodebo Ultim’s home port of La Trinité-sur-Mer in France.

Gabart said beating Coville’s record gave him “great pride”.

“We managed to be opportunistic for the fight by jumping on the opportunity when the window opened. This record is not easy, because you have to find the right conditions for 24 hours,” he explained.

“There we enjoyed a wind that did not move much. In contrast, during the first 12 hours, there was a bit of sea, which makes me think there are probably way(s) to go faster and keep 33-34 knots average with a flat sea,” he added.

“But being able to ride for 24 hours at full speed, it is pure happiness, it shows the real potential of the boat,” stated the solo skipper.

Gabart won the 2012-2013 Vendée Globe on board IMOCA Macif, setting a new record in 78 days, 2 hours, 16 minutes and 40 seconds.