The monohull 24 hour distance record fell to ABN AMRO TWO on 10-11 January during Leg 2 from Cape Town to Melbourne. Just 45 days earlier ABN AMRO ONE skippered by fellow nominee Mike SANDERSON (NZL) had snatched the record from movistar, setting the bar at 546.14 nautical miles, but JOSSE and his team just kept going faster. They became the first monohull to go above 550 nautical miles when they ate up 558 in 24 hours before they pushed themselves and their boat to the limit to set the record at an incredible 562.96 nautical miles, an average speed of 23.45 knots.

With the possibility of a podium finish in his first ever Volvo Ocean Race, JOSSE and the ABN AMRO TWO crew had their dreams shattered when tragedy struck on Leg 7 from New York to Portsmouth. When crew member Hans HORREVOETS (NED) was washed overboard in extreme conditions in the middle of the night, the outstanding seamanship skills of JOSSE and his team enabled them to recover HORREVOETS against the odds but they were sadly unable to save his life. Continuing to Portsmouth to complete the leg, JOSSE faced up to a second potential tragedy when they diverted to rescue the crew of movistar who had abandoned ship following serious keel damage. Once again, JOSSE and the ABN AMRO TWO team displayed exceptional strength of character and skill as the entire movistar crew was saved and further tragedy was avoided.

Achievement of Sebastien JOSSE (FRA)

24 hour distance record, monohull, crewed – 562.96 nm – average speed 23.45 knots – 10-11 Jan 2006
Outstanding seamanship displayed on Leg 8 of the Volvo Ocean Race 2005-2006 - the quick recovery of Hans HORREVOETS (NED) and the rescue of the movistar crew