Frenchman Joyon sets round-the-world record in 40 days

The previous record was held by France's Loic Peyron, who had completed the circumnavigation around the world in 45 days 13 hours and 42 minutes in 2012.

Last month, Thomas Coville of France set a new solo round-the-world record in 49 days.

Joyon, 60, completed his trip in the early hours of Thursday near Ouessant, in Brittany, with a crew of five -- Clement Surtel, Alex Pella, Bernard Stamm, Gwenole Gahinet and Sebastien Audigane.

(Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Amlan Chakraborty)