The world record has been smashed for one of the most famous yacht races in the world – the Rolex Fastnet Race.
 
Double Olympic silver medallist Ian Walker shattered the record of one day, 20 hours and 18 minutes set by Mike Slade in 2007 by a staggering one hour 39 minutes.
 
The victory was a shining example of team building sailing at its best for Walker and his men on the Volvo Open 70 Abu Dhabi yacht as it crossed the finish line in Plymouth at 7.49am on Tuesday, just under five minutes ahead of Franck Cammas’ VO70 Groupama 4.
 
Slade would have been disappointed that he wasn’t able to cross the finish line first in his 100ft supermaxi ICAP Leopard, which enjoyed success at the past two Rolex Fastnet Races.
 
However, positives could be taken from the fact that the vessel led her faster rival, George David’s supermaxi Rambler 100, for more than 24 hours.