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
