Francis Joyon Sailing for New World Record on IDEC

Canary Islands - Francis Joyon left Cadiz, Spain yesterday, sailing his famous maxi-trimaran yacht IDEC for a new world trans-Atlantic record on the historic Discovery Route from Cadiz to San Salvador in the Bahamas - the same route it is assumed Christopher Columbus took in 1492. With the 'round the world solo record under his belt (set in January), Joyon is aiming to break the Discovery Route time set by Thomas Coville on Sodeb'O, and it's going to be a tough one to beat.  Nearly 3900 miles in 10 days, 11 hours, 50 minutes and 46 seconds.  So far, Joyon is doing quite well, as he's already cleared the compulsary Canary gate and is 100 miles ahead of Coville's time.

Five hundred and sixteen years ago, it took Columbus 70 days to sail from north of Cadiz to some island in the Carribean he named San Salvador (not necessarily today's San Salvador, more likely Samana Cay).  Last May, Franck Cammas and Groupama 3 set a time of 7 days, 10 hours, 58 minutes and 53 seconds on this route, but this was a crewed record.  The beast of this particular challenge is that to beat Coville and Sodeb'O's solo record, Joyon is likely going to have to stay on deck and get little sleep throughout the passage, or as he put it: "être à fond tout le temps!" or "be thoroughly responsible [alert] all the time!"

Joyon has been waiting for the perfect weather window, and with some strong northerlies along the route, this is it.  It's not pleasure-sailing, as he's only slept an hour or two while battling rain and winds.  The last report is that he's flying full canvas on IDEC and still screaming along - having made 540 miles in his first 24 hours.  The make-or-break part of the attempt is likely to take place mid-Atlantic, where the wind transitions will decide whether the sails stay full, and whether IDEC and her skipper can keep up the pace.  If you're placing bets, Joyon's success has historically been a good wager. 

- YP Crew exclusively for Yachtpals.com

Read more all original sailing news:

• Thomas Coville sets new Transatlantic Sailing Record on Sodeb'O
• Thomas Coville and Sodeb'O (all articles about Sodeb'O)
• Sailing Records (all articles about world sailing records)
• Trimarans (all articles and photos about trimarans)
• The World's Fastest Sailboats - Sailing for Speed Freaks! (including the trimaran IDEC)
  

Sailing Video: Francis Joyon sailing the trimaran sailboat IDEC