Michel Desjoyeaux Wins Vendee Globe 2008-2009

SABLES D’OLONNE, FRANCE, February 2, 2009 (The Boating Channel) – When Michel Desjoyeaux sailed his 60-foot monohull “Foncia” across the finish line yesterday, he became the first sailor to win the prestigious Vendee Globe for the second time.

Desjoyeaux completed the solo round-the-world race at 15h11’08’’ UT on Sunday February 1st, clocking a total time of 84 days, 03 hours, 09 minutes and 08 seconds. It is a victory that places him in the record books several times over, for he has also set a new benchmark for the 24,840-mile marathon. With an average speed of 12.30 knots, Desjoyeaux sailed past the previous record of 87 days, 10 hours, 47 minutes set by Vincent Riou in 2005. [More...]