Who should beat this record in the foreseeable future? Francis Joyon, Bernard Stamm, Alex Pella, Sébastien Audigane, Clément Surtel and Gwénolé Gahinet have circled the world in just 40 days, 23 hours, 30 minutes and 30 seconds. They crossed the finish line between the French island of Ouessant and the British Point Lizard at the end of their successful mission on Thursday morning. The crew then set course for their home port of Brest, where a big welcome party was planned for the morning. The keys to winning the Jules Verne trophy for the fastest circumnavigation of the world: Skipper Francis Joyon not only had a strong crew and a very fast boat, but also the wind and weather conditions on his side.
Jules Verne Trophy 2017
The Jules Verne trophy won: the record bullet "Idec Sport" and his team around skipper Francis Joyon
Fastest solo sailor around the world: Thomas Coville
Skipper Joyon crowns his eventful career with this exceptional performance. In 2004, the now 60-year-old was the first single-handed sailor to circumnavigate the world on a multihull boat. With his "Idec" Joyon had set many new course records back then. The native Frenchman learned to sail at the age of 18 as a volunteer at the famous sailing school Les Glénans. Gradually, the extreme sailor specialized in ocean races and one-handed challenges. In 2008 he sailed the world solo in less than 58 days. This year his compatriot Thomas Coville broke this record on "Sodebo Ultim". But as soon as Joyon was rid of his solo record, he has now fought for the Jules Verne trophy as a team and in a formidable way. Loïck Peyron and the team that has held the trophy since 2012 have been dethroned. At that time they had circled the world with "Banque Populaire V" in 45 days, 13 hours, 42 minutes and 53 seconds.
Francis Joyon at the finish line: As of today, the Jules Verne trophy belongs to him and his French team with Swiss and Spanish reinforcements
The maxi trimaran that carried Joyon's team across the seas so quickly comes from the design office Cabinet VPLP, is 31.50 meters long and 22.50 meters wide. Its mast height is 33.50 meters. The bullet is based on a carbon fiber Nomex structure and was launched in 2006 for the first time. Joyon and his men have now reduced the Jules Verne record with this boat by almost five days (!) To a fabulous time that will be very, very difficult to beat.