Amazing new around-the-world sailing record of 40 days
French maxi tri IDEC Sport skippered by Francis Joyon smashes the sailing record to claim Jules Verne TrophyA new around-the world sailing record has been set by the maxi trimaran IDEC Sport, which crossed the finish line at 0749hrs UTC on Thursday, January 26, 2017, in just 40 days, 23 hours, 30 minutes and 30 seconds.
The big tri was helmed by Francis Joyon (60), a French professional sailor who held the record for the fastest single-handed sailing circumnavigation from 2008 to 2016.
Joyon and his crew averaged 22.84 knots for the 22,461 (theoretical) mile round-the-world route, a record time that earns them the prestigious Jules Verne Trophy for the fastest outright sailing circumnavigation in the world.
In a twist of fate, Joyon's 57-day solo around-the-world record was smashed by more than a week when Thomas Coville crossed the line alone and completely spent — he didn't sleep for more than 30 minutes at a time — on December 25, 2016, in just 49 days and three hours.
Reclaiming his sailing mantle while Coville was celebrating, Joyon has set the new outright record of just under 41 days with his crew of compatriots including Clément Surtel, Alex Pella, Bernard Stamm, Gwénolé Gahinet and Sébastien Audigane.
IDEC Sport flew around the world and shaved 4 days, 14 hours, 12 minutes and 23 seconds off the previous record set by Loïck Peyron and his crew of the maxi trimaran Banque Populaire V in 2008.
Joyon and his crew actually sailed 26,412 miles at an average speed of 26.85 knots before the official adjustments were made to the distance and time.
En route, the flying Fenchmen also set six intermediate records including at Cape Leeuwin off Tasmania, on the International Date Line, at Cape Horn, at the Equator and off Ushant.
That inspirational adventure novel Around the World in Eighty Days by the French writer Jules Verne has now been become a rather short story.
More at www.tropheejulesverne.org.
Photo Credit: Images from IDEC Sport.
You can see the jubilation at the finish in this onboard video...
Tags
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
