French crews vie for global record
Yann Guichard and Francis Joyon challenge for Jules Verne Trophy for fastest non-stop trip round the world
TWO French yachts have set off in separate bids to win the Jules Verne Trophy for fastest non-stop crewed voyage round the world.
First to cross the Channel start line (between Créac’h lighthouse, on Ushant island, Brittany and Lizard Point, in Cornwall) was Francis Joyon, skippering the 31.5m trimaran IDEC Sport early yesterday morning at 2.02.
He left just under two hours ahead of Yann Guichard and his team in the 40m trimaran Spindrift 2.
They were leaving four years to the day since current record-holder, Loïck Peyron, set off in Banque Populaire V to take the record at an average speed of 19.75 knots (36.58 km/h) for the theoretical shortest route of 21,600 nautical miles. Banque Populaire V actually travelled 28,965 miles on the six week trip, finishing in 45d 13h 42m 53s.
This morning both trimarans were 300-400miles west of Lisbon after hitting speeds of 30-34kt in heavy seas, but behind the target time set by Peyron four years ago as they have chosen more westerly routes.
The IDEC Sport crew hang on as she hits speeds
of up to 34kt Photo Jean Marie Liot / DPPI / IDEC
Each boat is following the weather with guidance from onshore teams working with their onboard navigators – with the January 6 finish line in mind.
The Jules Verne Trophy is a prize for the fastest circumnavigation of the world by any type of yacht with no restrictions on the size of the crew, starting and finishing in the Channel.
Two years ago Yann Guichard and his crew in the original
Spindrift were involved in a spectacular capsize in Dublin Bay,
while racing in the Route des Princes inshore race. Here is
a photo by Mark Lloyd / Oman Sail / www.lloydimages.com
