At 0754 on Tuesday, 3rd February, the trimaran IDEC, skippered by Francis Joyon, crossed the finish line off Brest, France, after 72 days, 22 hours, 54 minutes and 22 seconds at sea. In that time Joyon had circled the world, alone and unaided.

The previous solo record of 93-days was held by his fellow Frenchman, Michel Desjoyeaux. Joyon has also taken an astonishing 53 days off the previous solo multihull record.

IDEC, a 90ft trimaran, covered the 27,150 miles at an average speed of 15.5 knots. She was designed to be raced with a crew and few concessions were made for the 47-year-old Joyon.

The news must come as a blow to Ellen MacArthur’s plans to set a new solo round the world record in her recently launched trimaran, B&Q, which at 75ft would have to perform astonishingly well to come near IDEC’s remarkable record.