Joyon’s progress and speeds are fantastic. In Enza we averaged 448 miles per day between Africa and Australia, or about 18 1/2 knots and we thought we were fast, (it certainly felt fast!) but here we are, 23 years later, and the speeds are around 30 knots.
Would not you love to be on that boat right now ? I would love it. I know the Vendee has a wonderful competition right now, but Joyon’s race against time is phenomenal. What is next ? A larger trimaran with foils?
Although the latest is not an officially ratified one, it does reveal the full extent of the feat they are accomplishing in this Jules Verne Trophy. After Leeuwin two days ago, the record to Tasmania was grabbed during the night. Previously held by Yann Guichard and Dona Bertarelli’s Spindrift 2, Joyon, Pella, Surtel, Gahinet, Stamm and Audigane are the new holders with a time of 18 days, 18 hours and 31 minutes, quite an improvement over the 20 days, 4 hours and 37 minutes set last year by the world’s largest racing trimaran and her crew of fourteen.
IDEC SPORT has made a thundering entry into the Pacific with a lead of more than 1060 miles over her virtual rival, Banque Populaire V. This lead should stabilise over the coming hours, as Loïck Peyron and his crew of 13 had a good day in this part of the course. After slowing due to rougher seas, Joyon and his men have stepped up the pace again sailing more than 800 miles a day, with average speeds above 35 knots. Less than a thousand miles from the International Date Line, IDEC SPORT will at her current pace have crossed the halfway point tomorrow evening. They will have caught part of the Vendée Globe fleet which set sail from Les Sables d’Olonne six weeks before they took off from Ushant.
The IDEC SPORT maxi-trimaran is continuing to extend her lead over the Jules Verne Trophy title-holder. At the end of their eighteenth day of racing, Francis Joyon, Alex Pella, Clément Surtel, Gwénolé Gahinet, Bernard Stamm and Sébastien Audigane now have a lead of 680 miles, which is more or less the equivalent of a day’s sailing. Their straight trajectory on the port tack is now turning slightly towards the south. They are still sailing in powerful winds, but these have come around to the north and are on the beam. Speeds remain high at more than 32 knots on the direct route (VMG). This pace should allow Joyon and his men to pass under Tasmania in the next 24 hours and enter the Pacific.
At more than 53 degrees S, they need to watch out for ice, but fortunately there are clear skies offering good visibility, which they have not had since crossing the longitude of the Cape of Good Hope. Pleased about the two intermediate records achieved yesterday, Ushant – Cape Leeuwin (17 days, 06 hours and 59 minutes) and Cape Agulhas – Cape Leeuwin (4 days, 09 hours and 37 minutes), Joyon’s gang are not resting on their laurels. They are set to see their names enter the record books for the passage off Tasmania tomorrow and the International date Line, probably on Friday, before looking ahead and dreaming of the Horn.
The IDEC SPORT maxi-trimaran crossed the longitude of Cape Leeuwin at 1518hrs UTC 17 days, 6 hours and 59 minutes after leaving Ushant. This means they were almost 16 hours and 57 minutes ahead of the reference time set by Loïck Peyron and his men on Banque Populaire V (17 days, 23 hours and 56 minutes) having sailed at an average speed above 28 knots out on the water.
The Indian Ocean record between the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Leeuwin: The reference time between Cape Agulhas marking the entrance into the Indian Ocean and Cape Leeuwin has just been smashed with a time of 4 days, 9 hours and 37 minutes, which is one day, 1 hour and 46 minutes ahead of the reference time set by Francis Joyon and his men in 2015 (5 days, 11 hours and 23 minutes) and one day, 12 hours and 31 minutes ahead of the title-holder Banque Populaire V (6 days and 8 minutes). The Indian Ocean was crossed at an incredible average speed of 35.08 knots (3705 miles).
An amazing feat
By crossing the longitude of Cape Leeuwin in SW Australia this afternoon after entering the Indian Ocean on Thursday 29th December, the IDEC SPORT maxi-trimaran has just achieved one of the most amazing feats in the history of the Jules Verne Trophy. Joyon, Surtel, Audigane, Pella, Gahinet and Stamm have sailed seven whole days at more than 800 miles a day with peaks from 28th to 31st December respectively of 876, 871 and 869 miles, meaning an average speed of more than 36 knots.
Ushant – Australia in just 17 days, 6 hours and 59 minutes
After setting out from Ushant on 16th December taking advantage of what he called an average weather opportunity, Joyon and his incredible gang had to work hard in an Atlantic that was far from cooperative and fell some 755 miles behind the pace set by the title-holder, the maxi-trimaran Banque Populaire V skippered by Loïck Peyron with a crew of thirteen. Diving down into the Forties they hopped onto the front of a low on which they are still sailing a long way off Cape Leeuwin. There have been supersonic speeds throughout this crossing and all carried out on a straight line, shattering all the records today. Crossing the longitude of Cape Leeuwin in 17 days, 6 hours and 59 minutes, Joyon and his gang have improved on Peyron’s performance by sixteen hours. Groupama 3, which became IDEC SPORT, took 21 days and 14 hours to sail this distance in 2010.
The Indian in 4 days and 9 hours – averaging more than 35 knots
The record time between Cape Agulhas marking the entrance into the Indian Ocean and Cape Leeuwin already belonged to Francis Joyon and his men after their performance last year with a time of 5 days 11 hours and 23 minutes. That time is completely annihilated after this historic week, as it has been taken to 4 days, 9 hours and 37 minutes. It is true that Ushant is still a long way ahead and they will only be at the halfway point at the end of the week. But IDEC SPORT has not yet finished sailing on her straight trajectory at speed and hopes to continue to do this until they approach the Pacific…
A huge effort
The crew of IDEC SPORT have have had their foot down since they entered the Forties, watch after watch taking it in turns to deal with this high speed sailing. “Conditions were right to allow us to sail quickly and without too much work,” explained Francis Joyon, far from any triumphalism after seeing the ocean covered in just a few days. “We are concentrating on our job at the helm, staying there for no longer than half an hour and paying attention to the trimming. Always on the port tack, manoeuvres involved taking in or shaking out a reef and modifying the headsail. That was the case last night, when we ran into an area of squalls that were not forecast. “The talent of the helmsmen is working wonders on these calm seas. “We are entering a transition zone today between the low that has been behind us for several days and a new low forming ahead of us,” added Bernard Stamm. “As long as these two systems don’t merge, wind conditions should remain unstable.” IDEC SPORT is continuing at high speed with wind on the beam from the north, which can be tricky when the giant trimaran lifts up her windward float. “More than ever, as we are beginning to feel tired, we need to be cautious at the helm and at the sheets,” insisted Captain Joyon.
The men on IDEC SPORT, far from celebrating their achievement, are looking ahead to what is coming up and aim to continue on this winning tack. “We thought it would take us longer to catch Banque Populaire V,” declared a surprised Francis Joyon, “in the Pacific, where Loïck had a few difficult days. We are pleased. The Pacific is looking good for us, and we are determined to make the most of that.”
IDEC SPORT’s dash across the Southern Ocean should be rewarded this afternoon with the first intermediate record for Joyon and Co. They look like setting an incredible time to Cape Leeuwin in SW Australia, the second major cape in the Jules Verne Trophy.
It will have taken them just over 17 days since leaving Ushant, some twenty hours ahead of the reference time set by the title-holder, Banque Populaire V. Joyon, Pella, Stamm, Gahinet, Audigane and Surtel should be setting a new record for the stretch between the Cape of Good Hope and Leeuwin, which they covered at an average speed of more than 36 knots.
The speed has dropped slightly since yesterday evening, as expected by Francis Joyon yesterday. The strong winds are on the left of the boat, shifting to the north. This requires skill at the helm with teh wind on the beam and speeds will not be as high as over the past few days since entering the Indian OCean on 29th December, just four days ago. The lead over Loïck Peyron and his crew of thirteen is now 437 miles, and they are still extending this lead, with IDEC SPORT continuing to go straight on gaining by taking the direct route in the Furious Fifties.
Right from his very first attempt in 2012, Loïck Peyron set a new Jules Verne Trophy record. At the helm of the maxi-trimaran Banque Populaire V, the sailor from Nantes finished his circumnavigation in 45 days, 13 hours, 42 minutes and 53 seconds – a record which Francis Joyon is currently attempting to beat. The sailor who has previously won one Route du Rhum, 3 Single-Handed Trans-Atlantic Races, and 2 Jacques-Vabre Transats, goes back over his experience of the Jules Verne. An experience that he doesn’t rule out trying again if the record is beaten.
What is your favorite memory of the Jules Verne Trophy?
The arrival! When you race against other competitors, it’s disappointing not to win, but this happens all the time. You lose more than you win, but this doesn’t mean that there aren’t good memories all the same. I’ve tried to set very few records in my life as a sailor, but I’ve been fortunate: luck has smiled on me every time, immediately, as of the first attempt. As a result, I haven’t experienced the frustration of many of my colleagues who have often made attempts and not always succeeded first off. In addition, a Jules Verne Trophy arrival is all the greater because it’s collective, shared with the others on board.
What is your worst memory?
Everything has gone relatively smoothly for me even if things aren’t easy every day, and there are moments of stress. In any case, my worst memory remains ice and icebergs – something that generates both fear and fascination. I had the luck to see a great deal of them during my first Vendée Globe. At the time, no southern limit was set, as there now exists today for the Jules Verne. At that time, we set our own limits. You need to understand that when you’re alone on board, you’re the sole master of your decisions, and you’re responsible for yourself only. In this case, risk-taking in theory doesn’t generate any collateral damage. But when you’re a skipper with 13 other persons on board, you have a responsibility to bring home the boat and the men. And this is a much more difficult burden to bear. When you find yourself in complicated situations, it’s not easy to live with this weight, but you can’t share your worries too much because the leader’s aim is to ensure that things go well, without distress.
Tell us about your Trophée Jules Verne…
Records have always fascinated me, even if, since the start of my career, I’ve focused more on competition against others rather than against the clock. It’s my big brother who has specialized more in this domain. But what nonetheless made my mind up about the Jules Verne was that I was asked to do it. Remember that I arrived like a hair in a soup, like a music conductor called on stage at the last moment. It was Pascal Bidegorry who introduced me to this beautiful story, the creation of this boat and the crew. An exceptional boat, and a perfectly well prepared and trained team were in place. All I had to do was to implement all his work. I often say it: I was a little saltcellar on the table. Today, when I think back to my first day at the Jules Verne, I think that this was possibly the most delicate moment. I embarked on the Banque Populaire, off Lorient, exiting the port in the most secret manner possible because at the time, there was a bit of a buzz about who was going to replace Pascal. This was the most delicate moment I’ve ever experienced in human terms, because even the crewmembers on board didn’t know who was going to arrive. Thankfully, things went incredibly well!
Today, what do you prefer: navigating solo or in a team?
Both. I have no preference. I’m one of the rare sailors who’ve had the luck to be involved in so many different activities, to hold a Jules Verne title with my Banque Pop’ friends, to be at the helm of a boat in an America’s Cup final… I know that I’ve been incredibly lucky. After, it all remains an incredible amount of work. My great specialty is being a generalist.
What does the Jules Verne Trophy represent for you?
It’s highly symbolic, and it’s also something that we can describe as being a “family” story as my brother and I have beaten the record 4 times.
Do you think that you’ll take on the Jules Verne again one day?
You need to be beaten to go back to it. In sailing, this is the way it goes: you wait to be beaten and then you go back to work. If weather conditions are perfect, there’s no doubt that the record will be improved. After, I should say that the joy of a Jules Verne also lies in its preparation. Which is something I haven’t had the opportunity to experience. I’m also constantly designing vessels of the future for myself and others. But however these future vessels may be, we’ll also stay dependent on the weather. And this makes the Jules Verne a little frustrating. What might block me is precisely this long labor at the end of which you’re not sure of succeeding – or even of being able to depart.
Do you have a message for Francis Joyon, currently attacking the Jules Verne?
Yes, that he do it well! I’m always impressed by the way he sails because he attacks like crazy, all the time. At the moment, he has really perfect conditions. What I can say to all future sailors taking on the Jules Verne is that this is the record that they’re going to have to beat. The bar will go higher and higher, this is a certainty, but a record is definitely made in order to be beaten.
1000 miles from the Kerguelens that they should pass via the south, IDEC SPORT is continuing to progress at high speed. Francis Joyon and his crew are keeping up some very high averages and in so doing narrowing the gap to their virtual rival the holder of the Jules Verne Trophy. The speedo is stuck on around 35 knots meaning that the record attempt is definitely still onin the Indian Ocean. They need to keep an eye out for ice in these hostile latitudes…
Photo Jean Marie Liot / DPPI / IDEC
Aboard IDEC SPORT, which entered the Southern Ocean yesterday, Francis Joyon and his crewmen are taking it in turns every half hour at the helm to make the most of the favourable conditions. As they enter the Fifties, the big red and white trimaran is narrowing the gap to Banque Populaire V, whose lead is melting away. In the rankings this Friday morning, the deficit of 755 miles recorded on 26th December is now down to less than 300 miles.
On the deck, warm clothing and gloves are required as the trimaran dives into the Southen Ocean. The radar is on permanent watch and is a vital help in these southern latitudes. “It is very cold with the se temperature down to 2 or 3°” stated Sébastien Audigane, in a video sent back this morning. Famous for his skill at the helm, Big Seb admits he is enjoying seeing the dials indicate such high speeds in the leaden skies of the Indian Ocean. “We’ve just shaken out a reef as we weren’t going fast enough, just 35 knots, so now we’re under full mainsail and making forty knots.”
Still at full power, IDEC SPORT crossed the longitude of the Cape of Good Hope, the first of the three major capes in the Jules Verne Trophy at 0347 hrs UTC after 12 days and 19 hours. Pushed along in front of a low-pressure system, Francis Joyon and his crew are keeping up high average speeds having sailed 879 miles in 24 hours at an average of 36.6 knots.
Since they entered the Southern Ocean 48 hours ago, Francis Joyon, Alex Pella, Bernard Stamm, Gwénolé Gahinet, Clément Surtel and Sébastien Audigane have been clocking up incredible speeds in ideal conditions. On the attack, the six sailors are taking it in turns at the helm as they fight hard to remain ahead of the system. They have therefore been able to regain a lot of the ground they lost in the South Atlantic as they aim for the record time of 45 days and 13 hours, and meanwhile have clocked up the best day in the history of the Jules Verne Trophy.
Today they are less than one day off the pace (21h and 40mins) set by the title-holder, Banque Populaire V skippered by Loïck Peyron. This deficit is continuing to fall, as conditions remain favourable for IDEC SPORT with a good wind angle allowing them to remain at around 35 knots. It was at 0541 this Thursday morning that the red and white trimaran entered the Indian Ocean passing Cape Agulhas. In this cold and hostile wasteland, they are currently reaching peak speeds of around forty knots.
