https://www.macifcourseaularge.com/
Francois Gabart ( who the Vendee Globe 2013) has finished his solo round the world speed tour in 42 days with his trimaran Macif.
It means an average speed over the 22.500 miles of 22 kts. He smashed also the 24h solo record by sailing 851 miles in one 24h.
So 35 kts during 24h.
With his record he improved the previous record with an unbelievable 12 days.
Yes, this is an astounding achievement. The actual improvement over the previous record is about half what you wrote. From his website:
The new record (yet to be ratified by the WSSC) is 42 days, 16hrs, 40mins and 35secs slashing a massive six days and 10hrs off the existing record.
This time is only about two days slower than the current fully crewed record and about two days faster than the second fastest fully crewed record. He also set a new record for a transit of the Pacific ocean for all sailboats. Just phenomenal!
Yes, the 48 day solo record was unbelievable and I would have believed it unapproachable. Even with this new generation of purpose-built multihulls for solo distance sailing, so many things have to go right and nothing can go wrong.
Blazing through the Southern Oceans at 30+ knots in the pitch dark while you are asleep....
Some perspective, when Ellen MacArthur set the solo record in 2004 on the 75 ft trimaran B&Q her time was 71 days, 14 hours, 18 minutes, 33 seconds.
Right, Damon, and I remember being astounded by Ellen's achievement at the time. Actually, I still am!