French skipper Armel Le Cleach celebrates on his boat 'Banque Populaire' after crossing the finish line of the 7th edition of the Vendee Globe solo round-the-world race on January 27, 2013 off the coasts of Les Sables d'Olonne, western France. France's Francois Gabart, 29, set a new record with 78 days 02 h and 16 min, beating the previous record time set at 84 days 3hr 9min by 2009 winner Michel Desjoyeaux, and Le Cleach placed second.