A global achievement for Francis Joyon

Francis Joyon has smashed round the world record by 14 days

The IDEC trimaran crossed the finishing line off Brest on January 20, 2008 at 00h39:58. At the age of 51, Francis Joyon is once again the fastest solo yachtsman around the world having completed the voyage in 57 days, 13 hours, 34 minutes and 6 seconds. He has shattered the previous record, held since 2005 by the British yachtswoman, Ellen MacArthur by 14 days, 44 minutes and 27 seconds. It is truly an incredible performance: while he thought it was possible to bring the time down to below 70 days (the time to beat was 71 days and 14 hours), the sailor from Locmariaquer in Southern Brittany has brought it down to below 60 days and even to below 58 days. On board IDEC, Francis Joyon has covered more than 26,400 nautical miles at the astonishing average speed of 19.09 knots. Francis Joyon also becomes the only solo sailor in the world to have grabbed the non-stop single-handed round the world voyage record aboard a multihull on two occasions after a first record back in 2004.
Read More