Joyon’s record bid collapses

French yachtsman Francis Joyon saw his trans-Atlantic record crossing bid end abruptly off New York yesterday when his boat was overturned by a sudden storm. The accident happened some 20 miles (32 kilometres) off the US coast just hours after Joyon...

French yachtsman Francis Joyon saw his trans-Atlantic record crossing bid end abruptly off New York yesterday when his boat was overturned by a sudden storm.

The accident happened some 20 miles (32 kilometres) off the US coast just hours after Joyon had set off in his giant trimaran IDEC, his associates said.

The yachtsman was in no danger, however, and was still on board his vessel waiting to be hauled back to port.

Joyon had been targeting the current trans-Atlantic record solo-crossing of five days, 19 hours, 29 minutes and 20 seconds.

The mark was set by fellow Frenchman Thomas Coville in July 2008.

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