A start under the sign of perseverance
On December 16, 2016, Francis Joyon and his crew set sail from Ushant for another attempt at the Jules Verne Trophy. Bernard Stamm, Alex Pella, Clément Surtel, Gwénolé Gahinet and Sébastien Audigane embarked alongside the skipper, already a two-time solo round-the-world holder.
Despite an aborted first attempt a month earlier, motivation was intact. The goal remains the same: to be back in less than 45 days, to take the record from Loick Peyron, set in 45 days and 13h aboard Banque Populaire V, with 14 sailors.
Right from the start, Idec Sport set the pace. The Canaries were reached after just 48 hours, and the Equator was crossed in 5 days, 18 hours and 59 minutes. A good pace in the Atlantic, despite the vagaries of the Doldrums.
21h late to Good Hope, then 4 days early to Cape Horn
The crew began its descent towards the Cape of Good Hope at an average speed of over 30 knots, passing this first geographical milestone on December 29, 21 hours behind Peyron's record. In the Indian Ocean, Idec Sport sailed the perfect tack to cross the Indian Ocean, following a perfect trajectory at incredible speeds. Cape Leeuwin, crossed in 17 days, 06 hours and 59 minutes, marked the start of a series of notable performances, notably between Leeuwin and Tasmania, then between Tasmania and Cape Horn.
On January 12, after 26 days, 15 hours and 45 minutes, Idec Sport rounded Cape Horn more than 4 days ahead of the previous record. After 15 incredible days in the southern seas, this crucial passage was a relief for the crew.
A strategic ascent of the Atlantic
The climb up the Brazilian coast and the passage through the Doldrums were managed with remarkable precision, thanks to the expertise of router Marcel van Triest. The Equator was reached after 35 days, 04 hours and 09 minutes, improving the previous record by 2 days, 22 hours and 36 minutes.
A triumphant arrival in Brittany
At 08:49 on January 26, after 40 days, 23 hours, 30 minutes and 30 seconds, Idec Sport crossed the finish line in Ushant. With an average speed of 22.84 knots over 26,412 miles, the crew not only beat Loïck Peyron's record, but also set 6 intermediate records along the way.
The feat of Francis Joyon and his crew is all the more impressive in that it was achieved with a smaller maxi-trimaran and a reduced crew compared to previous record holders.
