Francis Joyon’s men are on a straight line south. IDEC SPORT has won back 150 miles during the night. After just two days of racing, the big, red trimaran is already off the Canaries with a lead of 70 miles over the record they are trying to beat.
The one gybe they have had to carry out has truly paid off. IDEC SPORT changed tack off Gibraltar yesterday to move to the port tack and they hit the jackpot. Since then, under big gennaker, Francis Joyon’s elite troops have been diving due south at 30 knots. Full speed ahead mile after mile….
The result has been that the performance during the night has been remarkable: IDEC SPORT has gone from being 80 miles behind the time to beat at 1930hrs yesterday evening to a lead of more than 70 miles at 0600hrs this morning.
150 miles gained during the night
A gain of 150 miles in just one night. And not move to the other tack for the moment. Speeds are around thirty knots. Very few or no manoeuvres to do. Life on board is improving all the time with the temperature rising off the Sahara. All lights are on green for Francis Joyon, Bernard Stamm, Alex Pella, Clément Surtel, Boris Herrmann and Gwénolé Gahinet.
We can now understand better why Francis and his Dutch router, Marcel Van Triest said that the weather opportunity was “almost perfect for the part of the record down to the Equator.” It is just that. In comparison at this stage in their record attempt, Banque Populaire V had had to carry out four gybes and therefore cross back and forth across the ideal route. IDEC SPORT has been able to dive due south with a VMG (velocity made good) close to 100% practicall all the time. That makes a huge difference. We can imagine that Francis Joyon is smiling this morning looking at these incredible figures.
In short
At 0600hrs on Tuesday 24th November 2015, IDEC SPORT was sailing at 32.5 knots at 28°05 North and 21°03 West, 270 miles off the Canaries. Bearing South (192°). Lead over the record time: 71.1 miles.
