The Jules Verne Trophy rewards the fastest crew to complete a non-stop round-the-world tour under sail. Find the latest news and investigations from Tip & Shaft on the subject.
Managing Director of Team Spirit Racing, the structure set up in 2021 by Paprec and Arkéa to support Yoann Richomme’s Imoca project, Romain Ménard takes stock of the Vendée Globe campaign, which finished on the second step of the podium, and looks ahead to what’s next.
Having set out on 30 November to conquer the Jules Verne Trophy, held since January 2017 by Idec Sport (Francis Joyon) in 40 days 23 hours and 30 minutes, Sodebo Ultim 3 had to interrupt her attempt on Tuesday 3 December due to a broken central rudder, before returning to Lorient a week later. Tip & Shaft took the opportunity to talk to its skipper, Thomas Coville.
On Friday, Alexia Barrier and her team from The Famous Project relaunched Idec Sport, Francis Joyon’s former trimaran at the Multiplast yard in Vannes, aboard which the 44-year-old sailor intends to tackle the Jules Verne Trophy at the end of 2025 with an all-female crew. An opportunity for Tip & Shaft to chat with her.
Last Tuesday at the Paris headquarters of Unesco Alexia Barrier officially launched her Famous Project, outlining her 100% female Jules Verne Trophy challenge which will be aboard Idec Sport, supported by the CIC and the Idec Group. Tip & Shaft tells you how the sailor managed to set up this Famous Project.
After racing the third leg of the Pro Sailing Tour on Viabilis with Pierre Quiroga, Pascal Bidégorry is training this week with Tom Laperche on SVR Lazartigue whilst also awaiting the launch of Macif, Charlie Dalin’s new Imoca, at the end of June. He will sail with Dalin this season, notably on the Transat Jacques Vabre. Tip & Shaft spoke to him this week.
Although Gitana Team is extending its stand-by for a few more days, the Spindrift Racing team announced on Wednesday that, after four months of fruitless waiting, it is giving up on tackling the Jules Verne Trophy for this season. Never has the crewed round the world record which has been set by Francis Joyon since 2017 been held for so long.
Last January 13 Alexia Barrier announced the launch of The Famous Project which has the aim of challenging for the the Jules Verne Trophy in 2024 with a 100% female crew. Barrier was a finisher on the last Vendée Globe, but lacking real experience in oceanic multihulls, the 40-year-old Mediterranean sailor admits she will be “following her instincts”. Tip & Shaft learns more.
Since 1st November, the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild has been on stand-by waiting for a weather opportunity to tackle the Jules Verne Trophy, which has been held since January 2017 by Idec Sport (Francis Joyon) with a time of 40 days 23 hours and 30 minutes. Tip & Shaft talked to the co-skipper of the Verdier deigned boat, Charles Caudrelier.
Brian Thompson holds more ocean sailing records than any other British sailor, around the world with Steve Fosset in 2004 and in 2012 with Loick Peyron on Banque Populaire V. He was on Mike Samderson’s winning ABN AMRO crew in the Volvo Ocean Race 2005-6 and raced to sixth place on the 2008-9 Vendée Globe. Right now he enjoys a niche as the ‘go to’ super reliable man in what is proving to be an active group of Multi 70s and recently won Cape2Rio victory on the former Prince de Bretagne. Tip & Shaft caught up with Thompson…..
On stand-by for a renewed attempt on the Jules Verne Trophy since early October, Spindrift 2, which had to turn back a year ago after a rudder failure has then had to stand down from the end of the month as problems with the new rudders emerged and they have had to go into the boatyard. Now, Yann Guichard and his crew of eleven sailors are back on stand-by, hoping for a window before mid-December. It’s a good time for Tip & Shaft to talk with the skipper.
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