Hampshire sailor Alex Thomson has today smashed two more race records in the Vendee Globe solo, non-stop around the world race.

He has reached the Cape of Good Hope in 18 days three hours and two minutes, beating the previous race record to this milestone by four days 20 hours and 44 minutes.

The former record of 22 days 23 hours and 46 minutes was held by skipper Armel Le Cléach onboard Banque Populaire in 2012.

Le Cléach is currently in second place, 89.9 nautical miles behind Thomson onboard HUGO BOSS.

Thomson, from Gosport, has been consistently leading the fleet since November 12, averaging speeds in excess of 20 knots.

Thomson has also broken a second race record from the Equator to the Cape of Good Hope, passing in 8 days and 20 hours.

That record was previously held by Jean Pierre Dick in 2013 onboard Virbac-Paprec 3 in 12 days 2 hours and 40 minutes.

The Vendée Globe takes place every four years and has historically been dominated by the French.

This year’s edition sees 29 IMOCA 60s compete in the race, with Thomson as the only British entry.

Renowned for being one of the most gruelling sporting challenges in the world, only 71 of 138 sailors to date have finished the Vendée Globe since the race’s inception in 1989.

Thomson is determined to be the first British skipper to win the race, which could take upto 80 days to complete.

With 28% of the race sailed in 18 days, the skippers still have to pass Cape Leewin and the famous Cape Horn before turning north and sailing back through the North and South Atlantic and crossing the finish line in Les Sables d’Olonne.