Vendee Globe leader Gabart crosses Equator

Frenchman Francois Gabart crossed the Equator on Tuesday as he maintained his dominance in the Vendee Globe round-the-world race, in the process setting a record time of 66 days 1hr 39min to reach the mark. Gabart, at 29 the youngest skipper in the event, crossed the Equator line at 1341 GMT, as he shredded the previous record of 71 days 17hr 12min set by 2009 winner Michel Desjoyeaux. The young skipper now has his heart set on beating Desjoyeaux\'s winning time of 84 days 03hr 09 min and hopes to arrive in Les Sables d\'Olonne, western France, on January 27 or 28 as he looks to complete the endurance race in less than 80 days. Gabart currently leads closest challenger compatriot Armel Le Cleac\'h by 205.6 nautical miles. From : AFP