2004: Francis Joyon leads the way
For his first attempt, Francis Joyon became the 1 er man to complete a non-stop single-handed circumnavigation on a giant trimaran. Aboard the trimaran IDEC, a VPLP design launched in 1986 and regularly upgraded, he set a reference time of 72 days and 23 hours. Francis became a legend, even coming close to the time set by Olivier de Kersauson and his crew on the same boat in 1997.
In previous decades, Alain Colas, Philippe Monnet and Olivier de Kersauson had already completed a solo round-the-world voyage, but always with technical stopovers.
2005: Ellen McArthur becomes the fastest woman around the world
In 2005, British sailor Ellen McArthur improved on Francis Joyon's time, completing the same course in 71 days and 14 hours. She achieved this time aboard B&Q - Castorama, an Irens-Cabaret design launched in 2004 and measuring 75 feet, designed for this challenge.
An incredible performance for a woman who started ocean racing late in life, and went on to enjoy a dazzling career. Retired from racing since 2010, Ellen now heads a foundation bearing her name, dedicated to protecting the environment.
2008: Francis Joyon makes it a one-two
Three years after Ellen Mcarthur's performance, Francis Joyon reclaimed his lost record in 2008 with a round-the-world time of 57 days and 13 hours. He beat the previous record by more than 14 days aboard Idec, a 95-foot Irens-Cabaret design. He thus becomes the only sailor to have won this record twice.
2016: the right year at last for Thomas Coville
After 5 attempts without setting a time, Thomas Coville finally managed to set the solo round-the-world record in 2016, setting a time of 49 days and 3 hours aboard Sodebo Ultim. After nine years of hard work, he crossed the finish line on Christmas Eve, 8 days ahead of Francis Joyon's record. He achieved this performance aboard Sodebo Ultim, an evolution of the Geronimo trimaran launched by Olivier de Kersauson.
2017: François Gabart sets the record on his first attempt
The following winter in 2017, François Gabart reclaimed Thomas Coville's hard-won record, sailing around the world in 42 days and 3 hours. He achieved this feat aboard the Macif trimaran, which at the time was one of the forerunners of flying trimarans.
In 2019, the Antoine de Saint Exupéry Trophy is created to reward the titleholder.
Held by Francois Gabart, it includes a sentence from the book Terre des Hommes engraved on the trophy:
" Man discovers himself when he measures up to the obstacle "
There's no doubt that the sailor who manages to break this record will encounter a number of obstacles along the way, but he or she will in turn join the exclusive club of single-handed round-the-world multihull record holders.
