Transitions in the South Pacific

(January 6, 2016; Day 21, 20:30 FR) – In their bid win the Jules Verne Trophy for fastest outright time around the world, Francis Joyon (FRA) and his five crew on the 31.5m VPLP-designed trimaran IDEC SPORT have done well to manage a weather transition.

Their latest 24 hour run of 678 nm has increased their lead to 879.6 nm (+54.9 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.

After a rapid crossing of the Indian Ocean – “The most violent and fantastic run in my life as a sailor,” according to Sébastien Audigane. Said Gwénolé Gahinet, “The craziest sailing I have ever done down by the icebergs, pushing the boat and crew to the limit” – the Jules Verne trophy adventure is continuing to go well for the crew of IDEC SPORT.

In the remote, desolate waters of the South Pacific, a strategic battle is beginning now for Joyon and his men as they try to match the pace of the weather systems that lie ahead. It is a race against the clock, with a lot of work in sight as they head towards Cape Horn, with the dials still indicating that they have a 800+ mile lead over the record pace.

Going from one low to another, things have changed somewhat on IDEC SPORT, which has just dealt with a transition zone over the past 24 hours, offering fine weather to dry out the foulies and time for them to recover their breath. While they lost a few miles in the climb north and had their work cut out trying to get to the new wind, this day of rest was very much appreciated by the six men on board. This little break allowed them to do a few odd jobs around the boat and to build up their strength as they look forward to diving down into the most extreme latitudes of the Southern Ocean.

“It’s nice having a drier boat, without hundreds of litres crashing down on us all the time and to get some sunshine, see the albatrosses, and some great light,” admitted Francis Joyon, who was pleased this morning after ten or so gybes to have made it to the winds associated with the next low, which were still ahead of them last night.

The skipper of IDEC SPORT is confident about what lies ahead in the icy waters around the Antarctic and added, “The solution is not as simple as in the Indian Ocean, which was fairly wild with amazing distances covered. The Pacific ahead of us looks quite lively, which is rather good for us. Let’s hope it will be pacific towards us and offer us some decent wind. For now, we’re diving diagonally down towards the south and we’ll soon be at 57° S.”

There is a low they will have to cross and a high blocking their route forcing them to round it via the south down close to the ice limit. This is how the fourth week of racing begins and it promises to be full of surprises and ups and downs in what is a very hostile environment.

But they are all ready to keep up the pace, as Clément Surtel explained: “We set off hoping to have a great Pacific. We are preparing ourselves to feel cold again, having to wear gloves, hats etc. We are ahead. It’s up to us now to catch the systems at the right time, push the boat when we have to and look after her when we can. Whatever happens, we’ll be giving it our all as we make our way to the Horn!” Bernard Stamm obviously agreed with this sentiment and says he is still amazed by the ability of IDEC SPORT to accelerate and “make the world seem that much smaller.”

Status as of 20:30 FR
Distance to Finish: 10005.4 nm
24 Hour Distance: 678 nm
24 Hour Speed Average: 28.2 knots
Ahead/Behind: +879.6 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