VIDEO: The Story of the Jules Verne Trophy

The Jules Verne Trophy is a prize for the fastest circumnavigation of the world by any type of yacht with no restrictions on the size of the crew. No limits, just go for it…exactly what two trimaran teams are ready to do, both now waiting for the perfect weather to beat the current record of 45 days 13 hours 42 minutes 53 seconds.

Francis Joyon (FRA) will be skippering the 31.5m VPLP-designed IDEC SPORT, which was launched in 2006 as Groupama 3 and later rebranded as Banque Populaire 7 and most recently as Lending Club 2. The boat previously set the record in 2010 with Franck Cammas at 48d 7h 44m 52s.

Dona Bertarelli and Yann Guichard will be skippering the 40m VPLP-designed Spindrift 2, which was launched in 2008 as Banque Populaire 5. In 2012, Loick Peyron set the current record on this boat.

More information here.