( 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 . `` It 's an action sport , so of course , it can be dangerous , '' said Caizergues , who celebrated his achievement with a glass of champagne.. `` It 's as dangerous as any other sport like cycling and you have to be careful not to make any mistakes because it can end with bad injuries . `` I 've been lucky and only had one bad injury , which came in competition last season . '' Ask Caizergues about his latest achievement and he gives a Gallic shrug and a small laugh , but this is no minor achievement for the Provencal-born star who has hunted down record after record . In 2010 he became the first man to break through the 100km/hr barrier -- an achievement which earned him no shortage of recognition . His latest triumph came in the salt marshes of Salin-de-Giraud where he was carried along by the Mistral -- a fierce cold wind which blows toward the Mediterranean Sea from the uplands in southern France . The wind speed can often reach up to 130km - making it the ideal place for breaking records . `` It is a very strong and powerful wind , '' added the Frenchman . `` It blows really hard . We had speeds of 55 knots sometimes . The wind can be really wild and you have to be careful . `` We 've had days when its almost 60 knots and that can be too much . '' After taking up the sport 12 years ago , Caizergues has excelled by winning three world titles and two national championships and he now plans to break more records . But before that , he plans a celebration -- or two -- with that champagne . `` The team have worked with me throughout this record and they deserve to celebrate , '' he added . `` Everyone has worked so hard to make this happen and I want to enjoy it with them . ''
Alex Caizergues sets new world speed kitesurfing record . Frenchman broke record over 500 meters after averaging 56.62 knots . Run aided by the Mistral -- a fierce cold wind which blows down south of France coast . Caizergues now looking forward to next run in fierce conditions .