Joyon’s Jules Verne Program

Francis Joyon has held the solo round-the-world record since 2008, and now the 59-year-old Frenchman is about to attempt what would be a historic double in the history of ocean racing. Joyon will attempt his first crewed record, the outright crewed round-the-world record (aka Jules Verne Trophy), which is currently held by Loïck Peyron (Peyron’s record of 45d 13h 42m 53s was set in 2012 aboard the Maxi trimaran Banque Populaire V). "This is a huge challenge: I could become the first sailor to smash the solo round the world record and then the crewed record," said Joyon. He set the solo record of 57d, 13h, 34m and 6s with the 97-ft trimaran IDEC.

Joyon will make the new attempt with Franck Cammas’s former Groupama 3, the boat that took the Jules Verne Trophy in 2010 with the Bay Area’s Stan Honey navigating. The same boat also won the last two editions of the Route du Rhum. You may recall that Loïck Peyron triumphed in that solo race last November with the 103-ft tri, then named Banque Populaire VII. In 2010, Franck Cammas was the winning skipper.

The boat has been reconfigured for the new record attempt. Sticking with his principle of simplicity and efficiency, Joyon has opted for a smaller rig, such as one might see in solo sailing, and a maximum of six crew. "The smaller mast is more efficient and offers better performance when the wind is above 20 knots, and it enables the boat to be safer and to cut through the water better," explained Joyon. "Having a smaller crew means the way we work on board will be simplified and we can go for a light weight approach."

Joyon expects to take delivery of the rebranded IDEC Sport in September and stand by for a weather window in November. To make things even more interesting, another, bigger boat will also be waiting. The 140-ft Spindrift 2, the world’s largest ocean racing trimaran, is none other than the former Banque Populaire V, the current holder of the Jules Verne Trophy.

The start-finish line of the Jules Verne is between the Créac’h lighthouse on Ouessant (Ushant) Island west of mainland Brittany, and the Lizard lighthouse on the southwest tip of Cornwall. The course leaves the three Great Capes to port. See www.idecsport-sailing.com.