Bruno Peyron and his 13-man crew have (02.23) crossed the finish line at Ushant setting a new world speed record of 50 days, 16 hours, 20 minutes and 4 seconds, achieving an average speed of 22.2 knots. Not only have they broken Olivier de Kersauson’s Jules Verne record by 12 days but have totally annihilated the outright record set by Steve Fossett and team aboard Cheyenne last year by seven days.

Orange II was launched in December 2003 and quickly went on to achieve what she was designed to – break records. She smashed the 24-hour sailing record (706.20 miles) and the Mediterranean record (Marseilles/Carthage) last summer. Now she’s set a staggering new global record which is going to be a tough one to beat.

For Peyron and team the finishing conditions were perfect with a 25-28kt south-south-westerly as she went through the line just 0.5 miles from the coast.

An emotional Peyron chatting as he crossed the line said: “We tried to get it [the finish] just right, as we have done throughout the journey. It’s more emotion than joy. It corresponds to the long hard slog. So there’s no explosion. It’s intense, violent, just like this round the world voyage. I really love this night, and we’re going to try to make the most of it. Everyone is out on deck, and I don’t think we’ll be sleeping much before we get back on dry land, even if we haven’t really made any plans. This is a genuine record, which is beyond dispute. The boat is certainly a classy creation and was handled by a superb crew. We’ll have plenty of time to talk about it again.”

Olivier de Kersauson, the chairman and former holder of the Jules Verne Trophy, congratulated Bruno Peyron and his crew on their fabulous performance around the world. “The hurdle of 50 days is now within reach, showing the huge amount of progress that our sport makes each year. No other racing sport can claim to have made this progress, as each new generation of boat pushes back the limits still further. The Jules Verne Trophy remains the outright reference for human and technological commitment, and Bruno Peyron has just added a new chapter, his third, to its history.”

For now Peyron and team are quietly celebrating before gathering themselves together for their final sprint to Brest. They should arrive Quai Malbert docks at 09.30 this morning where celebrations will begin – big style!