Vendee Globe champion Francois Gabart pays tribute to rival for 'priveleged' duel After 78 days, two hours, 16 minutes and 40 seconds of solo racing, the gutsy 29 year-old Frenchman crossed the finish line in Les Sables d'Olonne first, to set a stream of new records, most notably as the fastest and youngest skipper ever to win the event. Five days into the race back in November, he suffered engine trouble which at best could have affected his progress and at worse scuppered his race though he told no one and quietly made his repairs. "It was a little rough, but I managed to fix it," said the charismatic Gabart shortly after finishing the race. As I left, I didn't think I would be coming back victorious. But in the Indian Ocean I started to believe it was possible. It is a difficult race, but I tried to fight it with equal temperament. I never bowed my head nor gave up, or at least only for a few seconds... The hardest of all is the length and the constant pace! It never stops! Thank you Armel Le Cléac'h. What we experienced together was exceptional! For the racers we are, to experience such a confrontation from the inside is a privilege. Gabart knocked more than six days off the existing Vendee Globe record set in the last race by Desjoyeaux and his breathtaking achievement of completing 534 miles in 24 hours was more typical of a fully crewed ocean racing boat or a multihull. Le Cleach arrived in Les Sables three hours and 17 minutes later to take the runners up spot at his second attempt. British yachtsman Alex Thomson is in third place and around 900 miles from the finish. He sacrificed speed and progress to give stricken skipper Jean-Pierre Dick, who is racing without a keel, some vital support during a rough night but has now gybed and is heading for this finish.