The IDEC SPORT team has just gone to Code Amber, indicating that a favourable weather opportunity may be present within the next five days in their attempt at the Jules Verne Trophy, the outright crewed round the world record. IDEC SPORT is leaving her hope port on Friday morning to head for Brest, and intends to be ready to set off from the start line off Ushant on the evening of Sunday 6th November.
“A decent weather situation is appearing,” explained Francis Joyon, “with northerly winds blowing at around twenty knots, which are ideal to get out of the Bay of Biscay in weather that looks similar to what we had last year for our first attempt.” IDEC SPORT achieved the second best time on record between Ushant and the Equator, which they reached after 5 days, 1 hour and 52 seconds, eleven hours better than the round the world record holder, Banque Populaire V, skippered by Loïck Peyron.
“There is still some uncertainty about the St.Helena high,” added Francis. “For the moment, it is a long way south, blocking the route to the Cape of Good Hope and the Indian Ocean. We would have to go a long way south to get around it. We’ll continue to watch how it developes, remembering that the North Atlantic is looking very favourable.”
The whole crew (Bernard Stamm, Gwénolé Gahinet, Alex Pella, Clément Surtel), with the exception of the German, Boris Herrmann, busy in Germany, is ready and will take advantage of the delivery trip to Brest to settle in. “Bernard will deal with the final supplies once we’re in Brest, and if the start does take place and the South Atlantic improves, we may set off on Sunday evening,” concluded Francis Joyon, who can’t wait to get underway. “The job list has been dealt with. We have made the boat lighter and the time has come for us to start this big adventure.”
