(CNN) -- Alex Caizergues toasts danger with a glass of bubbly in one hand and a clenched fist in the other. The Frenchman has good reason to celebrate after smashing the World Sailing Speed Kitesurfing record over 500 meters, reaching an average speed of 56.62 knots (104.8 kph). The record was officially confirmed by the World Sailing Speed Record Council on Thursday. "This record was something else," the ecstatic 34-year-old told CNN earlier in November. "It was fantastic." Facing fierce winds and unrelenting waves, Caizergues beat the previous record set by American Rob Douglas by 0.97 knots -- an effort achieved in a sport where danger is always lurking.
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Alex Caizergues sets new world speed kitesurfing record
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Frenchman broke record over 500 meters after averaging 56.62 knots
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Run aided by the Mistral -- a fierce cold wind which blows down south of France coast
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Caizergues now looking forward to next run in fierce conditions
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