British skipper Alex Thomson has broken two records in the 2016-17 Vendee Globe race.
British skipper Alex Thomson has broken two records in the 2016-17 Vendee Globe race.
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He became the fastest sailor to reach the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa from the start line in western France. He also set the quickest time from the equator to Good Hope, one of Africa's most southerly points.
He became the fastest sailor to reach the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa from the start line in western France. He also set the quickest time from the equator to Good Hope, one of Africa's most southerly points.
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Thomson also competed in the previous edition in 2012-13, finishing third.
Thomson also competed in the previous edition in 2012-13, finishing third.
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He embraces his wife Kate at the finish line in 2013.
He embraces his wife Kate at the finish line in 2013.
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Competitors make their way out to sea at the start of the 2016-17 Vendée Globe from in Les Sables-d'Olonne.
Competitors make their way out to sea at the start of the 2016-17 Vendée Globe from in Les Sables-d'Olonne.
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Known as "the Everest of the Seas," the Vendee Globe was founded by Philippe Jeantot in 1989 and has been staged every four years since 1992.
Known as "the Everest of the Seas," the Vendee Globe was founded by Philippe Jeantot in 1989 and has been staged every four years since 1992.
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Spectators gather by the port at Les Sables-d'Olonne to farewell the competitors.
Spectators gather by the port at Les Sables-d'Olonne to farewell the competitors.
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Twenty-nine skippers set sail from France's Atlantic coast, embarking on a voyage around the southern Capes that takes approximately 100 days to complete.
Twenty-nine skippers set sail from France's Atlantic coast, embarking on a voyage around the southern Capes that takes approximately 100 days to complete.
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French skipper Jean-Pierre Dick thanks the crowd lining the shore for their support before setting off.
French skipper Jean-Pierre Dick thanks the crowd lining the shore for their support before setting off.
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Japanese skipper Kojiro Shiraishi on his boat, Spirit of Yukoh.
Japanese skipper Kojiro Shiraishi on his boat, Spirit of Yukoh.
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Swiss skipper Alan Roura, aboard La Fabrique, is the youngest competitor in this year's race at the age of 23.
Swiss skipper Alan Roura, aboard La Fabrique, is the youngest competitor in this year's race at the age of 23.
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The sailors race 60-foot (18.28-meter) monohull boats, with France having won all seven titles so far.
The sailors race 60-foot (18.28-meter) monohull boats, with France having won all seven titles so far.
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Dick's Saint Michel-Virbac carves through the water.
Dick's Saint Michel-Virbac carves through the water.
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The sea whips up around Morgan Lagraviere's boat Safran. He was forced to abandon the race on November 24 due to boat damage, the third entrant to quit by that stage.
The sea whips up around Morgan Lagraviere's boat Safran. He was forced to abandon the race on November 24 due to boat damage, the third entrant to quit by that stage.
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