Maxi Trimarans the World Over
In the June issue of Latitude 38, this writer reported on the foiling trimaran l’Hydroptère and their upcoming TransPacific record attempt. While our info about Alain Thébault’s foiling trimaran was correct, the current TransPacific record that we stated was incorrect.
The article states that Bruno Peyron’s 86-ft catamaran Commodore Explorer currently holds that record. In fact, Peyron’s maxi-cat holds the existing TransPac Race record at 5d, 9h and change. But the actual TransPacific crossing did not take place during the biennial TransPac Race. That record is held by the maxi-trimaran Geronimo. Skippered by Olivier de Kersauson in November 2005, the 111-ft tri romped to Hawaii in just 4d, 19h, 31m at an average speed of 19 knots. So, to correct ourselves, l’Hydroptère will need to sail from Los Angeles to Honolulu in less time than that if they wish to break the outright TransPacific record.
Since we screwed up, we’ll throw you a bone and bring you up to date on the Geronimo story. After breaking records all over the world and sailing more than 100,000 miles under de Kersauson’s watch, the venerable three-hulled monster has been purchased by Sodebo for singlehanded sailor Thomas Coville. Now re-named Sodebo, the maxi-tri will be sailed by Coville in the legendary 2014 Route du Rhum race, solo across the Atlantic. In the fall of 2013, Coville will attempt (again) to break Francis Joyon’s solo, multihull, nonstop record around the world, currently at 57d, 13h.
Speaking of Francis Joyon, the Frenchman departed New York City yesterday on his maxi-trimaran IDEC to attempt to break the singlehanded multihull west-to-east Transatlantic record, which is currently held by — you guessed it —Thomas Coville. To break the Transat record, Joyon will need to cross the Atlantic in under 5d, 19h, 30m. Speeding out of New York at more than 23 knots, Joyon will need to pass the longitude of Lizard Point, UK before Monday morning to achieve his goal.
Check back with ‘Lectronic next week for an update on Joyon and the inaugural La Route des Princes, which currently has a fleet of maxi-tris speeding all over Europe. The first offshore leg from Valencia, Spain to Lisbon, Portugal was just won this morning by the MOD 70 Oman Air- Musandam.