Fresh from their third-place finish in the RORC Caribbean 600’s multihull class and multiple training laps around the island of Antigua itself, the seven-strong The Famous Project crew — which includes Ireland’s own Pamela Lee and Joan Mulloy — have now embarked on their first all-female ocean passage across the Atlantic, heading to Portimao, Portugal on their MOD70 The Famous Project Limosa.

As they build up towards their 2025 all-female challenge for the Jules Verne Trophy, when they will sail the record-holding Ultim IDEC Sport, this transatlantic passage is an important stage in training up the team, strengthening cohesion and building skills over an extended period on the flighty, fast 70-foot trimaran which needs to be sailed ‘on the edge’ to achieve the best performance.

The seven strong team comprises co-skippers Alexia Barrier (FRA) and Dee Caffari (GBR) along with Pamela Lee and Joan Mulloy (IRL), Annie Lush (GBR), Annemieke Bes (NED) and Deborah Blair (GBR). Media woman is Muriel Vandenbempt.

With a week of recovery, boat work and further training behind them, the debrief from the RORC Caribbean 600 is extremely positive.

The team for the 600-mile race, which passes 11 islands on a 12-leg figure-8 course this time included specialist coaches Jack Bouttell, Miles Seddon and Tom Dawson.

Their elapsed time of 1 day, 10 hours, 16 minutes and 46 seconds for the course was just two hours and two minutes behind Multihull class winner Argo. The Limosa team were in touch for much of the race but lost out towards the end.

The Famous Project Limosa finished third in the Multihull class in the RORC Caribbean 600 in Antigua last week | Credit: RORC/Alex Turnbull

Co-skipper Dee Caffari enthuses: “What a race! It was intense, it was awesome. In terms of a training platform for what the team wants to do it was perfect, it really was.

“There were lots of corners, lots of sail changes, every point of sail. There was constant action, always something happening. Every hour or couple of hours there was something. And to do all that and end up only a couple of hours behind the other two MOD70s is good. We could see them for most of the race and we know where we with different mistakes we made. But it was nice to finally be in the race with everybody again.”

In terms of the practical, hard-learning gains, Caffari says: “There is now a lot more confidence in the driving and the trimming, and a lot more trust in each other. Also just understanding how dynamic the trim on these boats is in order to just drive in a straight line, because you are literally on the edge all the time. And it costs you so much when you fall off that ‘edge’ and have to rebuild again.

“The boys did a really good job with the training leading up to it. I came off the helm having driven at a constant 30 knots for an hour and I would not have been able to do that without the training we had before the race. So we really moved forwards.”

With the big boat, the Ultim, due for a May launch, the race is on to get a core team up to speed and this transatlantic from the Caribbean to Portugal, followed by a training passage continuing on to their Mediterranean base in La Grande Motte, is an essential keystone in this training and learning block. Until now they have had the likes of Bouttell, Sidney Gavignet and others on board to fast track the learning. Now it is time to go do it themselves.

Figaro veteran Joan Mulloy is one of two Irish women on the all-female crew of The Famous Project

Caffari, who is running the boat while project captain Alexia Barrier takes responsibility for navigating, says: “For the first time we won’t have the safety net of the guys on the boat with all the experience, all the miles they have on the boat with us. So it will be good to be taking that step.

“And also we are moving into that mode now where Alexia and I, having that bit more experience, are bringing more people forwards with confidence, that will really build our confidence as well.”

The main objectives are seeing and sailing with different crew and upskilling them. Caffari says: “It is a little bit of having new people sail the boat with us, it is a little bit of ‘we can do this’ because until now it has been, ‘well they only sail with the guys on board’, and we don’t actually need them to sail the boat but it is good to have them to fast track the learning and keep up the intensity. Now we have to generate that ourselves.”

Caffari and the girls are not really relishing the weather, not least the return to chilly, windy Europe: “The weather looks a lot of upwind sailing. I think that is what it is and it does make it a little bit safer, we are not in that downwind danger zone very often. But finding the right sea state and keeping in the right modes will be the key to keeping the boat going.”

Splitting the roles into the defined responsibilities is also a ‘next step’ in the process.

“Alexia is learning to be a team player asshe is so used to being a solo sailor on her Vendée Globe set up and so I am here helping with that, I have been through that transition, keeping the communication flow going. Clear, concise communication is key, everyone using the same kind of language, especially as we have different nationalities onboard, especially when people are tired,” Caffari says.

Pamela Lee, an experienced transatlantic sailor, will lend her technical expertise to The Famous Project’s Jules Verne Trophy campaign

Along with Joan Mulloy, 35-year-old Pamela Lee is one of the two Irish sailors on board for the Transat. Lee has more than 10 transatlantics under her belt including one on a Ocean 50 multihull, as well as the most recent Transat Jacques Vabre race on a Class 40. She is taking time off from helping prepare the giant Ultim near her base in Lorient and aims to be one of the key technical expert ‘fixers’ on board for the Jules Verne.

Lee sailed the MOD70 during a training week in the Med last spring and is looking forwards to this new oceanic challenge, her first time — she realises — with an all-female crew.

After her first training days in Antigua, she notes: “Day to day everyone is so down to earth, just professional sailors doing a good job, it is amazing we are just all sailors who love sailing and love what we do.

“This feels like such a big opportunity and I just want to make the very most of it. I want to learn as much as I can and bring my best ‘sailorself’ to it every day. Don’t get me wrong, there is no competitive feeling there but there will be a team selection, sometime. But meantime for me it’s be focused, be humble and be myself.”

Lee adds: “And it is the first time I have sailed with an all-girls group. But the funny thing about that is the penny has just kind of dropped. I have not been thinking in those terms at all, we are all sailors doing what we love, it is so natural. But it just feels like going sailing, there is no crusade here, even if it will be the first time an all-female crew have sailed a MOD70 across the Atlantic.”

An international all-female team that includes Ireland's Joan Mulloy are taking on the Jules Verne Trophy Challenge. 

The Famous Project, led by Alexia Barrier and co-skipper Dee Caffari, aims to break the record for the fastest circumnavigation of the planet and set a world-first record for an all-female crew.

Mulloy from County Mayo previously competed on the offshore solo scene as a competitor in the Figaro Race.

Barrier unveiled her ambition at a VIP event at UNESCO in Paris on Tuesday, 13 June; the French yachtswoman announced her crew pre-selection, confirmed her boats for the three-year campaign and record attempt, and unveiled two founding partners to the campaign, CIC and IDEC.

Considered one of the toughest ocean challenges in the world, no woman has so far been part of any crew to conquer the legendary Jules Verne Trophy, the prestigious prize for the fastest circumnavigation of the planet.

25 years ago, Tracy Edwards and the team of Royal & SunAlliance first attempted to break one of the last records left standing for an all-female crew. Now Barrier has created ‘The Famous Project’, bringing together the best female professional sailors from around the world, and with the boat that holds the current record, is aiming to make history and disrupt this all-male legacy.

The All female crew will race the 100-foot Ultime trimaran IDEC Sport on a timed circumnavigation of the planet. The current record, set in 2017 by Francis Joyon on the same boat, stands at 40 days 23 hours 30 minutes and 30 seconds

On standby from October 2025, Barrier and co-skipper Dee Caffari, with a crew drawn from around the globe, will race the 100-foot Ultime trimaran IDEC Sport on a timed circumnavigation of the planet. The current record, set in 2017 by Francis Joyon on the same boat, stands at 40 days 23 hours 30 minutes and 30 seconds.

Alexia Barrier, skipper of The Famous Project: "We want to make the women of the planet ‘Famous’! We want to shine a light on those who dare and to inspire others to realise their dreams and ambitions. Over the next three years, the Famous Project will highlight inspiring projects, both large and small. Ultimately we not only want to be the first ever all-female team to complete the Jules Verne Trophy route, we want to break the record at the same time."

The Famous Projec is led by Alexia Barrier and co-skipper Dee Caffari

A celebrated offshore skipper for over 20 years, Alexia has sailed the equivalent of 10 laps around the planet, completing the iconic solo, non-stop Vendée Globe in 2021 and has raced across the Atlantic no less than 18 times. Caffari is a record-breaking round-the-world sailor with six circumnavigations under her belt and is the only woman to have sailed around the world solo, in both directions. Alexia and Dee have put together a crew line-up with an unrivalled depth of experience in women’s offshore sailing: 12 circumnavigations of the planet, 54 transatlantic races, three transpacific races, 28 world records and 16 championship titles.

Dee Caffari, co-skipper of The Famous Project, said: ​​"This project will break down barriers. It will be the pinnacle of my career, a special record that few people have achieved or even attempted before. It's a great sporting challenge, but the project in itself is so much bigger. This is about creating an impact for women all around the world.”

Following an intensive pre-selection process in the mountains and on the water in the first half of 2023, the current crew have been handpicked to ensure a complementary mix of experiences. Selection and training will continue throughout 2023 and 2024, with new talent from Olympic dinghy racers to seasoned offshore skippers, introduced to the team. Each crew member excels in her field and is an essential asset to the success of this challenge.

The current crew training and racing with Alexia and Dee are:

• Helena Darvelid (SWE), 12 world speed sailing records
• Sara Hastreiter (USA), round world sailor and mountain adventurer
• Elodie Jane Mettraux (SUI), leading multihull specialist
• Joan Mulloy (IRL), offshore solo specialist
• Marie Riou (FRA), The Ocean Race winner
• Marie Tabarly (FRA), skipper of Pen Duick VI

The all-female crew will be supported by a squad of multihull specialists led by Jonny Malbon (GBR) as Team Director, and an expert team of coaches including Brian Thompson (GBR), Sidney Gavignet (FRA), and Alex Pella (ESP).

The Famous Project will be running a two-boat campaign. The former Spindrift MOD70 - renamed Limosa - will be the training and selection platform. The team has also been supported by IDEC and has been given use of the Ultime IDEC Sport (formerly Groupama 3, Banque Populaire VII). The boat is the current holder of the Jules Verne Trophy Record and three-time winner of the Route du Rhum.

To create a lasting impact, Barrier and her crew will develop education and scientific programmes around ocean health. "The Famous Project is more than attempting to set the Trophy Jules Verne record,” commented Barrier. “Over the coming months, we will unveil the scientific program we will be undertaking with our partner, UNESCO, as well as a global educational program, which will bring to life the importance of ocean health for school children. The Famous Project will leave an impact for many years to come."

Yann Guichard, Dona Bertarelli and nine other sailors will make up the crew of 'Sails of Change' for their next attempt on the Jules Verne Trophy, an award for the fastest non-stop and unassisted circumnavigation of the world. Several years of hard work will culminate in this ultimate sporting challenge.

The crew also aims to raise awareness of the need to preserve ocean and land ecosystems. From 24 October, the team will be on standby, ready to set sail on a new adventure.

From Monday 24 October, the crew of Sails of Change will be on standby, studying the weather conditions and gearing up for an immense challenge. The objective since 2017 has been to win the Jules Verne Trophy: 40 days, 23 hours and 30 minutes. "It's the ultimate sporting goal, an extraordinary time to beat, that has been halved in the space of 30 years," said skipper Yann Guichard.

Sails of Change, an extraordinary Trimaran. A multihull built to perform - Thirty seven metres long, 23 metres wide and weighing 21 tons, Sails of Change is the largest ocean racing trimaran ever built, and has a track record to match. Launched in 2008, the boat held the Jules Verne Trophy from 2012 to 2017 (45 days, 13 hours). Sails of Change was acquired by the Spindrift team in 2013 and went on to win the Route de la Découverte (between Cadiz and San Salvador), and to perform well in the Rolex Fastnet Race (twice) and in the 2016 Transat Québec – Saint-Malo. In 2014, sailing this giant boat solo, Yann Guichard achieved second place in the Route du Rhum, a remarkable sporting and human feat.

A TEAM ON THE RISE

The Spindrift team has been hard at work throughout 2022. The team participated in all six events of the TF35 Trophy, an annual championship which combines sea and lake races across Europe. Spindrift ended the season in 3rd place overall.

The maxi trimaran has also sailed on multiple occasions. "There are still a few adjustments to be made, but the boat is ready," said Yann Guichard. "I can feel the team is eager to go."

Once standby begins, the maxi trimaran, based at La Trinité-sur-Mer, will be ready to set off for Brest at the first favourable weather window.

Spindrift crew (left to right): Clément Giraud, Grégory Gendron, Thierry Chabagny, Pierre Leboucher, Jacques Guichard,Yann Guichard, Benjamin Schwartz, Dona Bertarelli, Xavier Revil, Christopher Pratt and Julien Villion.

A TEAM OF LIKE-MINDED ENTHUSIASTS

Joining Yann Guichard and Dona Bertarelli, the on-board reporter, will be nine crew members. “Some have been part of the project for years and others have joined us this year," said the skipper. "We have an experienced team who enjoy competing and who are ocean enthusiasts. We share the same appreciation of effort and solidarity”.

THE CREW, PRESENTED BY YANN GUICHARD:

Dona Bertarelli (54 years old): "I’m delighted to share this new adventure with Dona, who participated in our first round-the-world trip in 2015-2016. Her presence will bring added purpose to a great sporting challenge."

Thierry Chabagny (50): "An experienced sailor who has already sailed twice around the world. His experience will be invaluable."

Greg Gendron (39): "Joined our team in 2019. Greg is always smiling, friendly, and ready to help. He is very comfortable sailing at sea, I have total confidence in him."

Clément Giraud (41): "He just finished the Vendée Globe and is one of our Southerners. He is full of the joys of life."

Jacques Guichard (42): "As a watch leader, I’ve been able to count on his multiple talents since the birth of the Spindrift project. Sharing this adventure with my brother is such a blessing and will bring us even closer together."

Pierre Leboucher (41): "A newcomer to the crew but with solid experience, having sailed in the Olympics and Le Figaro. Pierre is a true sailor who likes to push himself to the limits."

Christopher Pratt (41): "He also joined us this year. He is a Cartesian spirit: structured and focused on performance. If he does something, he does it 100%."

Xavier Revil (51): “A great sailor and former holder of the Jules Verne Trophy. I’ve known Xavier since my Optimist years; he’s been with us since the start of the Spindrift adventure. As a watch leader, I know I can always rely on his know-how."

Benjamin Schwartz (36): "He has sailed in Le Figaro and has sailed round the world in the Volvo Ocean Race. Responsible for the navigation unit, I can count on his detailed analysis of weather strategy."

Julien Villion (30 years old): "With solid experience from Le Figaro, he is always seeking the right settings and constantly questioning himself, raising our overall performance. "

Jean-Yves Bernot (router): “A recognised specialist, he has been by our side since our first round-the-world attempt in 2015. As both a former navigator and a land router, he knows the course like no one else. He’ll be our guardian angel during this new attempt.”

On November 1st, 2021, Dona Bertarelli, Yann Guichard and their team began the standby for a fourth attempt at the Jules Verne Trophy round-the-world sailing record. Since this date, there has not been a suitable weather window for the crew of the maxi-trimaran Sails of Change to set sail with a realistic chance of beating the record. Yesterday, Dona Bertarelli and Yann Guichard announce the end of standby for Spindrift and their plans to renew the attempt later this year.

The primary challenge for the maxi-trimaran Sails of Change is to make a very fast passage from the island of Ushant to the equator (within the record time of 4 days 19 hours and 57 minutes set by Spindrift herself in 2019). The crew would then need to make the southern tip of Africa in under 12 days, to be level with the previous record. With this in mind, since November 1st, 2021, Yann Guichard (skipper), Benjamin Schwartz (navigator) and Jean-Yves Bernot (onshore router) have been analysing the weather in a bid to pinpoint the perfect configuration for linking these two sequences together. However, over the winter, the weather scenario has not once been favourable for starting the attempt.

Jean-Yves Bernot also points out that a late entry into the Deep South is not recommended: "The austral summer is gradually drawing to a close. Sailing conditions in this area are becoming increasingly complicated with the cold, the gales and very heavy seas. With too much bad weather comes the increased risk of suffering damage, and it is more difficult to maintain the high average speeds needed to break the record".

Within this context, Dona Bertarelli and Yann Guichard have decided to call off their team's standby for the Jules Verne Trophy record.

2021/2022 crew:

• Yann Guichard – Skipper
• Dona Bertarelli – On-board reporter
• Benjamin Schwartz – Navigator
• Jacques Guichard – Watch leader
• Xavier Revil – Watch leader
• Duncan Späth – Helm / trimmer
• Grégory Gendron – Helm / trimmer
• Julien Villion – Helm / trimmer
• Thierry Chabagny – Helm / trimmer
• Jackson Bouttell – Bowman
• Yann Jauvin – Bowman
• Jean-Yves Bernot – Onshore router

Dona Bertarelli, Yann Guichard and their nine crew will begin a fresh Jules Verne Trophy record attempt this Thursday. Early in the morning, the maxi-trimaran Sails of Change will cast off from her port of registry in La Trinité-Sur-Mer (Morbihan) to make for the start line offshore of Ushant. Their goal: to complete the non-stop, unassisted round the world course, leaving to port the three capes (Good Hope, Leeuwin, Horn), faster than the record time set by Francis Joyon and his men in 2017 of 40 days, 23 hours, 30 minutes and 30 seconds. It’s also an opportunity for the crew of the maxi-trimaran Sails of Change to support the #30x30 campaign, which aims to protect 30% of the planet by 2030 and raise awareness about this cause.

A 4TH RECORD ATTEMPT

Early on Thursday morning, the maxi-trimaran Sails of Change will leave her port of registry of La Trinité-Sur-Mer (Morbihan). On board, the 11 sailors on the largest offshore racing trimaran in the world will set a course for the island of Ushant offshore of Finistère. Later in the day, they’ll cross the Jules Verne Trophy start line located between Créac'h lighthouse and the Lizard Point lighthouse, with the objectives of breaking the round the world record under sail, which stands at 40 days, 23 hours, 30 minutes and 30 seconds, as well as flying the flag for Sails of Change and the ‘30x30’ campaign, which aims to protect 30% of the planet by 2030.

"The record time of 40 days, 23 hours, 30 minutes and 30 seconds"

For this fourth record attempt, the crew led by skipper Yann Guichard has pulled out all the stops in a bid to optimise the trimaran. The boat’s hull has notably been shortened by three metres to enhance the balance at the helm and limit vibration. On top of this, the cockpit has also been redesigned throughout to make it more comfortable for the sailors and less exposed to the sea spray. The maxi-trimaran’s sail plan has also been redesigned, the aerodynamics improved and the boat has undergone a weight-reduction programme.

At sea, Dona Bertarelli and Yann Guichard will be surrounded by a crew which boasts a combination of seasoned offshore racing sailors and high-energy youngsters.

On previous occasions, the team has posted the 3rd best time in the Jules Verne Trophy (in 2015 – 2016 in 47 days 10 hours and 59 minutes), earning Dona Bertarelli the title of fastest women around the world in 2015, together with the record for the Ushant – Equator section (in 2019 in 4 days 20 hours and 7 minutes). The whole team will be setting sail with these reference times uppermost in their thoughts, eager to take on one of the greatest challenges in offshore racing.

A FAVOURABLE WEATHER WINDOW

A very quick descent towards the equator and the Cape of Good Hope are essential conditions for the success of the record attempt. For the first time since the start of standby on 1 November, a weather window is offering up a great opportunity to drop southwards, as Benjamin Schwartz, navigator on the maxi-trimaran Sails of Change explains: “Currently, a very powerful Azores High is in the process of dropping back down towards the islands of the same name, whilst a low pressure system to the west of Cape Verde is filling. The uniting of these two phenomena means that the trade wind is set to build from Thursday, which will enable us to drop down towards the equator very quickly. At the same time, a low pressure system over the north of England will drop down towards Brittany on Friday, bringing with it big seas and lots of breeze.

As a result, the aim is to avoid all that by setting sail early evening on Thursday. According to the routing, this weather situation should enable us to make the equator inside the record time we set in 2019, namely a little less than 5 days, which is perfect for the start of an attempt! After that, there is still some uncertainty about the doldrums, which may hinder our progress for longer than planned.

Finally, in the South Atlantic, we’re monitoring a low pressure system level with Brazil, which we may be able to position ourselves ahead of to make for the Cape of Good Hope inside the time set by Francis Joyon in 2017. Today, the weather at Good Hope is very good, but that may still change as the position of the Saint Helena High and the way the low pressure system will roll through are yet to be tied down as that’s still a long way off (D+10)”.

Therefore, the way the weather systems link together in the South Atlantic will be key in our bid to hunt down the record and slip along into the Indian Ocean as quickly as possible.

SAILS OF CHANGE, AROUND THE WORLD FOR THE ‘30x30’ CAMPAIGN

In 2021, the maxi-trimaran boasts a livery in the colours of ‘Sails of Change’. Sails of Change is creating a community of sports and nature enthusiasts eager for a sustainable future for our planet. Founders Yann Guichard, Dona Bertarelli and her children are committed to sharing ideas and information, creating partnerships to protect and restore the environment and work to bring about significant changes for a sustainable future for all.

The first campaign supported by Sails of Change, ‘30x30’ is a global call to action to protect at least 30% of the ocean and the earth by 2030. The maxi-trimaran will deliver this message around the world, with #30x30 logos emblazoned on her sails and hulls, together with distinctive blue and green colour-coding for the new livery on the racing stable’s flagship.

“Through the medium of a sport that we love, I invite everyone to climb aboard with us in this human adventure and discover the beauty of nature and join us in our circumnavigation of the globe,” says Dona Bertarelli, on-board reporter for this latest attempt.

Within the context of this fourth attempt, the whole crew is keen to show what is within the realms of possibility during this challenge targeting self-sufficiency in energy. For the first time, the whole journey will be undertaken with no auxiliary engine.

“We’re going to take on an additional challenge, since we’ll be attempting to break the round the world record without using any energy produced using fossil fuels. Our main sources of energy will come from the sun and wind, as well as an on-board bike-powered generator. We are keen to show it’s possible,” explains skipper Yann Guichard.

2021 CREW ON THE MAXI-TRIMARAN SAILS OF CHANGE

Yann Guichard - Skipper
Dona Bertarelli - On-board reporter
Benjamin Schwartz - Navigator
Jacques Guichard - Watch leader
Xavier Revil - Watch leader
Duncan Späth - Helm / Trimmer
Gregory Gendron - Helm / Trimmer
Julien Villion - Helm / Trimmer
Thierry Chabagny - Helm / Trimmer
Jackson Bouttell - Watch leader, bowman
Yann Jauvin - Watch leader, bowman

Jean-Yves Bernot - Onshore router

JULES VERNE TROPHY IN BRIEF:

Start and finish: line between Créac’h lighthouse (Island of Ushant) and Lizard Point (England)
Crewed round the world via the three capes (Good Hope, Leeuwin, Horn)
Shortest distance to cover: 21,600 miles (around 40,000 kilometres)
Ratification: World Sailing Speed Record Council, www.sailspeedrecords.com
Current time to beat: 40 days, 23 hours, 30 minutes and 30 seconds
Average speed: 21.96 knots
Date the last record was set: January 2017
Titleholder: IDEC Sport, Francis Joyon and his 5 crewmen

INTERMEDIATE CREWED REFERENCE TIMES:

Ushant-equator: 4d 20h 07’ (Spindrift 2 in 2019)
Equator-Agulhas Cape: 6d 08h 55’ (Banque Populaire V in 2012)
Agulhas Cape-Cape Leeuwin: 4d 09h 32’ (IDEC Sport in 2017)
Cape Leeuwin-Cape Horn: 9d 08h 46’ (IDEC Sport in 2017)
Cape Horn-Equator: 7d 04h 27’ (Banque Populaire V in 2012)
Equator-Ushant: 5d 19h 21’ (IDEC Sport in 2017)

CREWED WSSRC RECORDS:

North Atlantic crossing (Ushant-Equator): 4d 20h 07’ (Spindrift 2 in 2019)
Indian Ocean crossing (Agulhas Cape-South Tasmania): 5d 21h 07’ 45’’ (IDEC Sport in 2017)
Pacific Ocean crossing (South Tasmania-Cape Horn): 7d 21h 13’ 31’’ (IDEC Sport in 2017)
Equator-Equator: 29d 09h 10’ 55’’ (IDEC Sport in 2017)
Round the world (Jules Verne Trophy): 40d 23h 30’ 30’’ (IDEC Sport in 2017)

Dona Bertarelli and Yann Guichard are once more set to take on the Jules Verne Trophy, held since 2017 by Francis Joyon and his crew in a time of 40d 23h 30' 30''. Remodelled for improved performance over the course of last winter, Sails of Change (ex-Spindrift 2) maxi-trimaran will be sailed by an 11-strong crew.

This will be Yann Guichard's fourth attempt as skipper on this round the world passage under sail, and he is taking on two challenges as he aims to both secure the Jules Verne Trophy and produce all their energy requirements self-sufficiently. Indeed, for the very first time, the whole journey will be undertaken with no auxiliary engine.

This new energy challenge accompanies a series of technical solutions introduced over the winter, which relate to the cockpit, aerodynamics and central hull, the latter having been shortened by three metres. This latest modification provides improved balance at the helm and reduces vibration aboard the largest racing multihull ever built (37 metres), which has been renamed especially for this attempt: Sails of Change.

The maxi-trimaran Sails of Change will set out from La Trinite-sur-Mer in south-west Brittany to make for the start line off Ushant as soon as there is a favourable weather window, with a standby commencing 1 November 2021.

The crew on the maxi-trimaran 'Sails of Change' for the 2021 Jules Verne record attempt

2021 crew on the maxi-trimaran 'Sails of Change'

• Yann Guichard - skipper
• Dona Bertarelli - on-board reporter
• Benjamin Schwartz - navigator
• Jacques Guichard - Watch leader
• Xavier Revil - Watch leader
• Jackson Bouttell - Watch leader, bowman
• Duncan Spath - sailor
• Thierry Chabagny - sailor
• Gregory Gendron - sailor
• Julien Villion - sailor
• Yann Jauvin - sailor, bowman
• Jean-Yves Bernot - onshore router

With clockwork precision, it was at 01 hours 33 minutes and 46 seconds UTC that the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild set sail this Sunday 10 January on a fresh attempt at the Jules Verne Trophy record.

As regular Afloat readers will recall last November, after three days at sea on their first-round the world record attempt, Franck Cammas and Charles Caudrelier took the decision to 'interrupt' their record bid and return to their port.

This morning, in a NE'ly wind of around twenty knots on manageable seas, the six sailors left the island of Ushant abeam of them and bid a final farewell to Le Créac'h, the iconic lighthouse synonymous with this passage across the line. Having left their base in Lorient a few hours beforehand, just before sunset, Franck Cammas, Charles Caudrelier, Morgan Lagravière, David Boileau, Yann Riou and Erwan Israël had to wait a few hours offshore to absolutely nail their departure slot. It was a timing of pinpoint precision skilfully calculated with their onshore weather router Marcel van Triest, the boat's genuine 7th man, because in a record like the Jules Verne Trophy, every minute counts! Indeed, it must be said that with their reference time of 40 days 23 hours and 30 minutes, Francis Joyon and the crew of Idec Sport set the bar very high. To beat the record and become the 10th crew to etch its name on this monument to offshore racing, the men on the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild should be back offshore of the north-west tip of Brittany prior to 20 February at 01 hours 3 minutes and 15 seconds UTC. In the meantime, the crew has nearly 22,000 nautical miles to cover and a high-speed planetary adventure awaits.

Second attempt & second nocturnal departure

It would seem that moonlit departures are all the rage for the sailors on the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild. On 25 November 2020, for Gitana Team's first attempt at securing the Jules Verne Trophy, the start line was crossed in the intimacy of a pitch-black night, at 02:26 UTC on the dot. A month and a half on, history is repeating itself. Under the cover of darkness, at 01 hours 33 minutes and 46 seconds UTC, Franck Cammas, Charles Caudrelier and their four crew once again set the stopwatch in motion for this planetary adventure aboard the first maxi-trimaran designed to fly in the open ocean.

It's worth noting that in late November, the six men had to interrupt their passage down the North Atlantic following damage to the giant's port rudder and foil after colliding with a UFO (unidentified floating object). Back in Lorient by early December, they were able to count on the reactivity of the shore crew to make a rapid repair and return to standby before the festive season. Since then, everyone has been awaiting the right weather window and in recent days the eagerness to get back out on the racetrack as quickly as possible has been evident.

A rapid course & some compromises

"We'll have a NE'ly breeze of 15-20 knots on the line, with a very manageable sea. However, things will fill out rapidly and the first 24 hours should involve quite a lot of wind and manœuvres, especially around Cape Finisterre, before we can hook up with the trade wind", explained Franck Cammas briefly. Along the length of the Iberian peninsula, everything will already be about compromise and the crew will have to thread its way along a narrow corridor of breeze to gain southing, whilst ensuring they are neither too close to the coast where the wind could run out of puff, nor too far offshore where they may be subject to heavy seas that do little to benefit speed.

The real difficulty of this start of the Jules Verne Trophy attempt is to try to pinpoint and then get a handle on the highly decisive weather sequence between the north and south so as to get down to the Southern Ocean as quickly as possible. To do this, the Cammas-Caudrelier pairing and their four crew know that they must be precise in their trajectory if they are to keep pace with the tempo set by the weather pattern. According to the latest routing, the passage times for the first third of the course are promising. The equator is accessible within a sub-5-day time and Cape Agulhas could be in their wake in under 12 days.

A whole team in their wake

Whilst the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild was preparing to cast off to the applause of a public who had come out in force despite the wintry atmosphere reigning on Saturday afternoon, Cyril Dardashti, the director of Gitana Team, made no secret of his delight: "We're launching off on our second departure this winter and we're very happy that this window is opening up to enable the crew to get out on the water and show what they're made of. It's been a month since the boat was repaired and we've been preparing to snap up a favourable opportunity. Taking on the Jules Verne Trophy is one of the main objectives in our programme. Together with Team Verdier, we devised and designed this boat for this type of major record with the goal of experiencing offshore flight. It's a real pleasure to truly fulfil the brief. The times planned by Marcel van Triest and the routing are good to both the equator and Cape Agulhas, the crew and the boat are ready to go, so it's safe to say that we couldn't ask for more! The guys are keen to get going and our owners, the shore crew and all the associates of the Edmond de Rothschild Group are behind them. For the boat to set sail and pit itself against this fabulous record is just what we were all waiting for!"

Sailors' impressions

Franck Cammas: "We're delighted to have this fine window opening ahead of us. It's our second attempt and we're approaching it with a great deal more hope than the first. Added to that, the conditions are in our favour for this nocturnal, moonless yet star-studded departure. It's sure to be chilly, but we'll very soon hook up with warmer latitudes. Everything's going to play out very quickly. I hope that we're going to be successful, even though it's a lengthy adventure taking shape ahead of the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild's bows. After the start, we have 24 hours with quite a lot of breeze and some manœuvres, especially around Cape Finisterre, before we hook onto the trade wind. It's really nice to find ourselves in the thick of the action as a crew. Fingers crossed that we'll make it back to Brest as soon as possible after fully completing our big lap of the planet."

Charles Caudrelier: "It was a bit of a long wait. At Christmas, when the window closed back up, we were a bit worried. We could have set sail two or three days ago as the North Atlantic was very good, however the South Atlantic remained very average. We've tried to combine the two, which isn't easy as there is still a degree of uncertainty. Again it's not perfect, but we're into January and we've rarely had such a good window. Our first attempt had the benefit of enabling us to get out sailing together in some boisterous conditions. Today, we're more than ready and the team has done a fantastic job with great attention to detail. Beyond the performance element, we've made gains in reliability and that is essential for beating this record, which will be very hard to achieve. For the past week, our impatience to get going has become ever greater. We've been observing, analysing and shifting the departure slot every day. This will be my third crewed round the world following on from two Volvo Ocean Races, but the first one in record mode. It's a whole new adventure and I'm delighted to get the opportunity to experience it and I realise just how lucky we are to be able to live out our dreams."

Yann Riou: "On a personal level, I find this is more pleasant than the first departure; the weather's good, it's daytime, there's a big crowd and our nearest and dearest are here so it's really lovely to be leaving today. That said, it's still a bit tough to bid farewell to your family when you set off on a round the world. However, I'm very happy to be stepping aboard this magnificent boat once again. I have a dual role in this Jules Verne Trophy as I'm both a sailor and a media man. Start days, like those related to the intermediate passage times for example, are very busy days. After sending off the departure images to enable you to get a real insight into the passage across the line in the middle of the night, I'll be able to gradually get into my role as crewman and take up my watches! I cannot wait..."

Erwan Israël: "The Jules Verne Trophy may well be the finest sailing record there is and with it comes the opportunity to sail on some extraordinary boats. I know Franck and Charles very well having competed in the Volvo Ocean Race with them nearly ten years ago. To be sailing with them once again, aboard what is a fine machine for breaking this record, is absolutely brilliant!"

Tracker here

Thomas Coville and his crew aboard Sodebo have been forced to abandon their attempt at the Jules Verne Trophy after suffering damage to the starboard rudder.

After 16 days at a blistering pace that has taken them to the bottom of the world, the team is being forced to return. 

It's a disappointment for speed sailing enthusiasts who this month were enjoying the spectacle of not one but two 80-monster foiling tris doing 40 plus knots in search of a new sub 40-day world record, but now, unfortunately, both are out.

As the repair no longer allows the boat to sail at 100% of its capacity in an attempt to beat the Jules Verne Trophy record, they have stopped their attempt which began on November 25 at 2:55 am.

While the team enjoyed record-breaking weather in the Atlantic, building a lead of more than 600nm over record holder Idec Sport, the forecast in the Indian Ocean was far less favorable. The team lost miles each day, falling behind the needed pace yesterday.

At the end of November, after only three days at sea, on their first-round, the world record attempt, Franck Cammas and Charles Caudrelierhave took the decision to abandon as Afloat reported previously here

After three days at sea on their first round the world record attempt, Franck Cammas and Charles Caudrelierhave taken the decision to 'interrupt' their record bid and return to their port of registry. The announcement comes as a result of damage that occurred when the boat collided with a UFO* yesterday, rendering it impossible for the crew to sail the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild at her full potential.

Currently situated to the north of the Cape Verde archipelago, the sailors that make up Gitana Team are positioned some 1,900 miles from Lorient. Gitana 17 is now pointing her bows towards this destination.

It's a disappointment for speed sailing enthusiasts enjoying the spectacle of not one but two 80-monster foiling tris doing 40 plus knots in search of a new sub 40 day world record.  

Setting off 31 minutes apart, Sodebo Ultim 3, the trimaran skippered by Thomas Coville (at 1:55 a.m. UTC) and the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild (at 2:26 a.m.) set off Tuesday night to challenge for the Jules Verne Trophy, the first time for two Ultims.

The record to beat: 40 days 23 hours 30 minutes and 30 seconds as achieved in January 2017 by Idec Sport (Francis Joyon).

After two and a half days, the two maxi-trimarans were neck and neck with a lead of over 200 miles on the existing Idec Sport track. 

This morning after four days at sea, Sobedo is still 118 miles ahead of the 2017 time with 20,000 miles to sail now unaccompanied by rival Gitana. 

Tracker here

At about 1600h (CET) today, Monday 15 January 2018, Spindrift 2 was sailing just off Point St Matthieu and Camaret in Brittany on her way to the start line of the Jules Verne Trophy, when she dismasted.

At the time the 40m trimaran was sailing at 15-18 knots of boat speed in 30 knot westerly winds and in three metre seas. Spindrfit 2 had two reefs in the main and the J3 (ORC).

Dismasted Spindrift is towed back to port

Yann Guichard, skipper of the Maxi Spindrift 2 says: "The crew is safe and sound. Everything happened so fast. The mast fell to the leeward of the boat. The conditions were not so extreme. It's too early to know exactly what happened. We had to drop the rigging to save the boat and prepare it for towing. Operations are currently underway to recover it.”

Spindrift 2 will now return to Brest and is currently under tow and expected to arrive later this evening.

As Afloat.ie reported earlier, Spindrift 2 was on its way to the start line for the Jules Verne Trophy round the world record between Ushant (France) and Lizard Point (England). The crew of 12 is led by skipper Yann Guichard (FRA).