Hurdles Ahead for IDEC SPORT

(January 8, 2016; Day 23) – Francis Joyon (FRA) and his five crew on the 31.5m VPLP-designed trimaran IDEC SPORT continue to improve in their bid win the Jules Verne Trophy for fastest outright time around the world.

Their latest 24 hour run of 638 nm has increased their lead to 1218.3 nm (+32.8 nm) ahead of the current time set in January 2012 by Loïck Peyron and his crew on the 40 VPLP-designed trimaran Banque Populaire V of 45 days, 13 hours, 42 minutes and 53 seconds.

In the remote part of the South Pacific, IDEC SPORT has managed to slide under a low and is advancing in a NW’ly breeze blowing at around fifteen knots in calmer seas. While Francis Joyon and his men have slowed down, the pace is still good as they chase after the Jules Verne Trophy.

“There are several weather hurdles ahead of us,” declared the skipper of the red and grey maxi-trimaran. “The high isn’t too much of a problem as we can get around the south. We won’t be that fast, but will get by. It’s closer to the Horn that we risk finding ourselves without any wind.”

There has been a slight slow down today, which is a welcome break for the six men on IDEC SPORT, as they make their way towards the Horn, which is around 2000 miles ahead.

“We’re still feeling positive as we approach Cape Horn, which offers us a lot of hope, as we should be well within the record when we round it,” he added as the trimaran continues through the fog and relatively mild weather in the South Pacific at 58°S.

Status as of 22:30 FR
Distance to Finish: 8723.2 nm
24 Hour Distance: 638 nm
24 Hour Speed Average: 26.6 knots
Ahead/Behind: +1218.3 nm

IDEC SPORT RACING – Tracker – Facebook

Note: The 24 hour speed record of 908.2 nm (37.84 knot average) was set in 2009 by Banque Populaire 5, a 131-foot trimaran skippered by Pascal Bidegorry (FRA).

Background:
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, starting and finishing between the Le Créac’h Lighthouse off the tip of Brittany and the Lizard Point in Cornwall.

After starting on November 16, Francis Joyon (FRA) and his five crew on the 31.5m VPLP-designed trimaran IDEC SPORT need to finish by 22:00:53 UTC on Monday January 30 to beat the current record set January 2012 by Loïck Peyron and his crew on the 40 VPLP-designed trimaran Banque Populaire V of 45 days, 13 hours, 42 minutes and 53 seconds.

Francis Joyon (fourth from left) and his crew comprising Clément Surtel, Alex Pella, Bernard Stamm, Gwénolé Gahinet and Sébastien Audigane.

Jules Verne Trophy
Record to beat: 45 days, 13 hours, 42 minutes and 53 seconds set by Loïck Peyron and his crew of 13 in January 2012 on the trimaran Banque Populaire V (40 m)
Average speed to beat: 19.75 knots
Course: around the world via the three capes, Good Hope, Leeuwin, Horn.
Great circle distance: 21,600 miles
Start and finish line between Ushant (Créac’h Lighthouse and The Lizard (Cornwall).

IDEC SPORT trimaran
Trimaran with foils
Designers: VPLP
Previous names: Groupama 3, Banque Populaire VII
Initial launch: June 2006
Length: 31.50 m
Beam: 22.50 m
Displacement: 15 t
Draught: 5.70 m
Mast height: 33.50 m
Structure: carbon-nomex

Source: IDEC SPORT