Joyon 20% Ahead of MacArthur’s Pace

Francis Joyon and his 97-ft Irens/Cabaret trimaran have slowed somewhat in pursuit of a new solo around the world record, but are still on a pace that is — incredibly — about 20% faster than Ellen MacArhtur’s current record. Fantastic.

In a previous ‘Lectronic, we reported that Franck Cammas and his crew on the maxi tri Groupama III had hoped to leave on the same day as Joyon in their pursuit of the Jules Verne Trophy, which is for the fastest circumnavigation, solo or crewed. That was incorrect. Javier de Muns, "our man in Brittany," says that it was actually Thomas Coville and his 105-ft trimaran Sodebo who had hoped to leave the same day as Joyon, also in pursuit of MacArthur’s record.

Alas, Coville’s trimaran developed hydraulic problems and had to postpone their start. It’s a shame, because it would have been brilliant to see how the two new but different trimarans fared against each other. Although the 105-ft Sodebo is longer than the 97-ft IDEC, she’s also a ton heavier, at 12 tons versus 11 tons. Coville is currently in La Trinitie sur Mer, hoping to start with the next weather window.

de Muns spoke with some of the crew of Groupama III yesterday as they were loading her with food and diesel and making last minute preparations. At this point, it looks to be at least another six days before they move up to Brest in anticipation of a start.