Francis Joyon
Francis Joyon crossed the finish line of his one-handed circumnavigation of the world after just 72 days, 22 hours, 54 minutes and 22 seconds. He undercuts Michel Desjoyeaux's old best time by 20 days.
What an achievement: A sailing monster like the 90-foot Tri "Idec" one-handed and non-stop sailing around the world is unbelievable for many sailors. The fact that Francis Joyon undercut the old one-hand record of Michel Desjoyeaux (sailed on an Open 60) by 20 days underlines his strong performance. The fact that Joyon was only one and a half days slower with the "Idec" than Olivier de Kersauson with this ship (at that time "Sport Elec", with a full crew, i.e. around 13 men) in his Jules Verne record in 1994, lifts Joyon's performance to one Level that can be described as a fable record.
The exceptional sailor crossed the finish line between Ushant / France and Lizard Point / Great Britain in a raging sea and more than 35 knots of wind. And, out of consideration for his shore crew, family and friends, he had steered his arrival in Brest into the early hours of the morning. "After all, it would not have been nice to throw her out of bed in the middle of the night," he commented on his visitor-friendly arrival time at the home port of Brest.
"Idec"
"I am very happy with my performance," he commented on his trip. According to Joyon, he believes that with his record he has given everyone who wants to follow him a tough nut to crack. This statement should have been particularly well received by Ellen MacArthur. After all, she has just had a 75-foot high-tech tri built, just to break the one-hand record around the world - which should be more than difficult after the incredible performance of the Frenchman.
Francis Joyon also received the highest praise from his compatriot Bruno Peyron, who currently holds the Jules Verne record with his mega-cat "Orange" (64 days, 8 hours - 14 man crew): "Nobody can imagine how jealous I am I'm on Francis. I had always hoped that I would be the first to circle the world one-handed in under 80 days. But I'm really happy that it is he who has done this in such a fantastic way. It is one Incredible navigational and, above all, physical performance."