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A plural crew for a unique challenge
Around Alexia Barrier, captain and initiator of the project, the crew includes Dee Caffari from Great Britain, pioneer of solo round-the-world races in both directions, Tamara Echegoyen from Spain, Olympic and world champion in 49er FX, Annemieke Bes from the Netherlands, three-time Olympian and Volvo Ocean Race competitor, Swiss-New Zealander Rebecca Gmuer, already involved in The Ocean Race Europe, young Briton Deborah Blair, and American-Italian Molly Lapointe, the project's boat captain.
This diversity of profiles reflects the ambition of the Famous Project CIC: to combine offshore experience with the energy of new generations, in a crew where English will be the official language.
A demanding and humane selection process
Putting together the crew was a process that took several months. Alexia Barrier and Dee Caffari selected fifteen female sailors, tested in particular on the project's MOD 70, before finalizing the team. Versatility, willingness to learn and the ability to live together were as important as technical skills.
" The Jules Verne Trophy is traditionally a Franco-French challenge. With this project, we are breaking new ground by bringing together women of six different nationalities and from different maritime cultures says Alexia Barrier.
A legendary trimaran as support
The crew will set sail aboard IDEC SPORT, ex-Groupama 3, the VPLP maxi-trimaran launched in 2006, already a round-the-world record holder with Franck Cammas and then Francis Joyon. Known for its reliability and ease of maneuvering despite its size, this boat has been completely upgraded since 2023: fittings, power, navigation systems.
"IDEC SPORT is a reassuringly fast and healthy boat, even in light airs insists Alexia. Her choice was an obvious one, the result of a decisive meeting with Patrice Lafargue, President of the IDEC Group, who agreed to lend the multihull to the project.
Objective: departure in November
After a summer of intensive preparation, the crew continues with the final training and technical checks on the boat. The weather stand-by will begin in mid-November 2025, to watch for the ideal window to set off on the theoretical 40,000 km course.
"This challenge is not just sporting, it's symbolic", explains Dee Caffari. "We have the opportunity to make history, to show that women from different backgrounds can lead one of the world's most demanding multihulls around the planet. "
