During a ceremony on Monday at the Musée de la Marine in Paris, Bruno Peyron and the crew of the giant catamaran Orange II were awarded the Jules Verne Trophy, celebrating their incredible voyage around the world, which last March set a new record time of 50 days, 16 hours, 20 minutes and 4 seconds. For the skipper of the giant Orange II, a pioneer in multihull ocean racing and the first man to sail around the world in less than 80 days, this will be the third time he has received this award.

Looking beyond the human endeavour, the figures are quite something: in 12 years, Bruno Peyron will have cut his initial record by 29 days. In 1993, on board Commodore Explorer, he was the first to take up the Jules Verne yachting challenge, just managing to finish in less than 80 days. In 2005, on board a vessel that you could hardly have dared to imagine a decade ago, the French yachtsman and his crew took another giant step forward, achieving the first voyage around the world in well under two months!

Outright round the world record / WSSRC

2005 Orange II / Bruno Peyron, 50 days, 16 hours, 20 minutes