Let's go for the 2nd part of the Idec Sport Asian Tour. After the record of La Mauricienne between Port Louis (Brittany) and Mauritius, set on November 8 in 18 hours, 14 minutes and 45 seconds, Francis Joyon and his crew are now setting a second record.
Leaving Port Louis (Mauritius) on Thursday 21 November 2019 at 9 h 49 min and 59 seconds local time (6 h 49 min, 59 seconds French time), they will set a first reference time on this 4?000 mile route to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. This will involve crossing the Indian Ocean before crossing the Sound Strait, between Java and Sumatra, then Indonesia, Malaysia, the China Sea, the Mekong Delta and Ho Chi Minh City.
"This is the second part of our program, but everything is very different, starting with the route. We're going to find ourselves in conditions close to upwind of the Trade Winds, but then we're likely to encounter some very light airs when we're in the Sound Strait. We're going to cross an area not very frequented by sailboats. I am very happy to have a crew with me, because there will be an important visual watch to counter the small fishing boats, tree trunks and other dangers that are out there. On average, we have 16 and a half days at sea to reach Ho Chi Minh. It is a great pleasure to set off on an adventure to regions so little used by our Western racing boats, with a small but extremely tightly knit crew. We're really going on an adventure, in Terra Incognita?!" explained Francis Joyon.
For this new record, Francis Joyon will be surrounded by a crew reduced to 5 people: Bertrand Delesne (Boat Captain), Antoine Blouet, Corentin Joyon and the faithful Christophe Houdet. "The crew is based on complementarity, understanding and good spirit. We will be five on board for the first two records, then six for the Tea Route" commented the skipper of the trimaran Idec Sport.
Then a new record will follow between Ho Chi Minh and Hong Kong.
